The Argentina media are currently picking at the fetid carcass of Argentina's 2018 World Cup challenge, with goalkeeper Willy Caballero unsurprisingly copping quite a lot of flak.
Caballero looked decidedly dodgy against Iceland and continued to look so in the first half against Croatia, before an astonishing error gifted Rebic and Croatia an opening goal last night. He is not first-choice for Argentina: that role belongs to Manchester United's Sergio Romero, absent from this World Cup through injury.
Caballero, in spite of being the hero of Manchester City's 2016 Carling Cup win over Liverpool, has never convinced many of those wedded to watching the Premier League. Few come as sceptical of the goalkeeper than Jose Mourinho, who spent the first week of World Cup doing punditry for Russian state broadcaster RT.
Granted, these comments by Mourinho might need to be filtered through his self-interest of having Romero at United, but nonetheless, Mou was exceptionally dismissive of the Argentina goalkeeper even before he dropped a bollock last night.
The context is Mourinho's reaction to Argentina's draw with Iceland in their opening group game.
They had one chance and they scored one goal. Cabellero in goal, or myself, would be the same because I would save the same as Cabellero.
Mourinho on Willy before the #ARGCRO game: “Cabellero in goal, or myself, would be the same because I would save the same as Cabellero.” ?? pic.twitter.com/HEIecMVR3A
— Fan Antics (@FanAnticsFC) June 21, 2018
A pretty accurate diagnosis from Mourinho. But what is the solution for Argentina?
Although it is one of football's fiercest rivalries, but perhaps Argentina should look toward Brazil for a solution to some of their ills and appoint Pele as their manager. He, at least, has a past record of knowing how to deal with an underperforming Willy. (You're fired - Ed).
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