As the premier league returns from the international break, so does Sergio Aguero to the Manchester City training ground. Ruled out until at least mid-September, Aguero is back in training but also back from international duty. A decision that left Mancini infuriated.
On the opening weekend of the season, Manchester City?s thrilling 3-2 win over Southampton was slightly marred by the nasty looking knee injury to last seasons hero Sergio Aguero. An awkward landing from a innocuous looking tackle from Nathaniel Clyne left Aguero in pain on the floor and to be stretchered off. Mancini told the world a few days later after Aguero had his scan and that he shouldn?t be out for too long and hopefully be back after the international break. This piece of news obviously didn?t reach Argentina?s national boss Alejandro Sabella.
Sabella, went on to name Aguero in his next squad for their world cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru. Even though Aguero was ruled out until mid-September and banned for the first international against Paraguay, Sabella ran the risk and included Aguero in his squad. A decision that Mancini branded ?ridiculous?. But in this scenario, who is right, Mancini or Sabella or both?
It?s clear to see that from Sabella?s point of view, that with his squad playing all over the world, the chances he has to get his squad together are very limited, therefore taking any chances he can get to assemble them. Maybe with a squad player, Sabella could leave them out and include a replacement, but for someone who is as inspirational and affective as Aguero, any chance to link him up with Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, then Sabella has to take. With a tough qualifying section, Argentina need all their firepower and their stars to perform. With just 3 points separating top spot from 6th, the potential for Aguero to come on and cause an impact, was too much for Sabella to ignore. A squad with good togetherness and with the talent that Argentina possess, the world cup in 2014 could well be the year for them.
For Mancini, his argument is clear. Why would you include a player that is injured and needs time to recover? Unfortunately for Mancini, he was powerless as international rules means that Argentina have the power to summon Aguero and have him assessed by their medical team. A rule that Mancini even called ridiculous. But it is a rule in place so clubs can not abuse their power and withdraw players for no reason, to give them a rest so their fit and raring to go, instead of travelling thousands of miles, playing a couple of games and coming back jaded or with a injury. Mancini claimed that Aguero needed to rest for a few weeks then gradually return to training, not be rushed into action with Argentina. Although Aguero didn?t feature against Peru on Thursday, all Mancini was doing was looking out for his star player. Someone who he will need throughout the season. Not just so he can build relations with the national squad for a few weeks.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG