DYC.

My guess for their reason why, anything to get him to score many, many goals..

Everybody who plays AM and has at least a decent pass in him gets labled 'playmaker'. But I'm talking about a real playmaker, Xavi, Riquelme, Fabregas, Rui Costa, Zidane etc. Pastore is not that type of player (now).

This is not a case of wrong or right. In the games before the tournament, Batista gaves several players a chance to make the starting line-up. If Pastore was performed (really) well in the games he played, he would've been a starter. Barcelona play with Iniesta don't they? He's an AM too. Banega did better and he and Messi clicked well so the coach kept him in the starting line-up in the following games before the Copa America. Maybe after the game vs Bolivia he'll make changes and play Pastore, who knows. The number 10 playmaker position is just something on paper in the current team, Argentina's problem is that they don't have a real playmaker (one who's of great quality of course). They just pass it to the forwards and let them do all the work, hardly any support up front from midfield. I said this before, if Riquelme was his old self/available for the NT he would definitely be playing.

Mehh.. if Riquelme was in the squad (or better said, his old self), he would without a doubt be a starter. Pastore's problem is more the fact that he's more the dribbling and final ball player type rather than a real playmaker, which is what they really need

Hahahahaha. I watch as many Argentina games as I can, I can see it all for my self. And I also know Argentinian people, or others like me who like/love the Argentinian NT, from a different forum who keep me informed on things. EDIT: Btw, I never said he's not playing because of tactical reasons. I said he didn't do well.

Yeah Banega's a good player but a bit inconsistent. He's a true CM, the playmaker type. The great thing about him is that he can also dribble past a few players to get out or a crowded area or when under pressure. Anyway, we're off-topic..

This isn't about how good of a coach Batista's is though. Henrique assumed the reason for Pastore not playing was because of the coach, which is not true. Pastore got his chance but didn't perform. Banega did a lot better and that's why he's playing.

That's not the reason he isn't playing. He's started some games but didn't perform well. 50 mil for Pastore is ridiculous as he's all potential now.

Jimmy & Eidur .

The most talented player I've ever seen play. Should've lasted a lot longer.. shame.

Ramires was very poor sadly. Neymar still has a lot to learn. Pato's trapping was fantastic, absolutely killed two long balls from Lucio and Thiago (both) with a single touch. Robinho should've scored but messed it up because of lack of power (does that often), Pato's shot in the first half hit the bar.. Brazil played well in the first half but were poor in the second. Dissappointing Copa so far. Forgot to add, highlight of the game:

Great to have Di Matteo back at the club. Always found having club men, who know what they're doing of course, in the staff/board very important.

Can't wait for the Copa America. Attacking football still comes first in SA so that's already a huge positive. And then there are the players: Pato, Thiago Silva (might sound weird to some but I enjoy watching defenders of his class and style), Ganso (?), Neymar, A. Sanchez, Luis Suarez, Messi, Tevez, Banega etc. So again, can't wait .

We can't miss out on yet another quality young player who is not ridiculously over-priced . Please get him AVB/Roman.

Forget it.

Kakuta a AM yes, Dos Santos no. But you have a right to think so And about the second part of your post,

He can play as a AM but he's definitely a natural attacker. That's where he played in Barca B and Barca's senior team. Even though he's a good passer, his passing game isn't good enough for a AM and his style of play fits a attacking role a lot better. His style is a lot like Ronaldinho's. He's not much of a risk but a move to Chelsea wouldn't do Dos Santos personally any good, he needs to play. He's not been playing regularly, well except for his time at Racing, for too long of a time. And since we're not even being linked to him, I don't even know why we're discussing it .

Why do you keep saying the reason for Dos Santos not being able to make it at Spurs is because of Modric. Modric is a CM, Dos Santos is an attacker.. Giovani always plays well for Mexico but doesn't seem to be able to really perform on club level, well at a top club that is. Sad really as he's a very talented player and a joy to watch. He would fit well in our team in the left attacker role but until now no one has been able to unlock his potential.. But a move to us wouldn't do him any good as he wouldn't be a starter and that is what he needs to revive his career. He needs to move to a mid-table team in Spain where he will have the time and room, with low pressure, to develop, he can still make it.

Not at all. Sadly we're not really getting linked with him, though that doesn't neccisarily mean we're not interested.

Hmm that doesn't sound like a good plan to me tbh, Benayoun and Kakuta aren't wingers (granted, Kakuta played on the wing on youth level but didn't really do well on senior level). And they aren't better on the wing than Malouda, Zhirkov, Anelka and Kalou. And I'm still not convinced Sturridge can make it as a winger for Chelsea. Some point out his 'performances' on the wing for England U-21 when in fact he only played on the wings for a short time but because he delivered an assist, it proves he can play on the wing..

Who is going to play left wing, be the back-up left winger and replace Hulk in case of a injury/suspension/loss of form in that plan?

4-4-2 with two pure CFs does not work.

What's this thing some people here have with playing players out of their natural position . Torres as a second striker, as in Torres being the link between midfield and attack and the creative spark in the middle when for as long as I've known he is someone who plays off the shoulder of the last defender and hardly gets involved in build-up play.. that would be interesting to see.

Sturridge will of course be used as a CF if the first or first two options are not available. Nobody is going to pay at least 15 mil pounds for a 33-year old striker who's contract runs out next year. And I guess we disagree on this but I don't believe in paying 30 mil Euros on a back-up. Especially not on someone of Falcao's class (people thinking he'll be fine with a 2nd choice role are fooling themself). Falcao and Torres in the same line-up in a 4-3-3 formation? I'd love to see how that works out. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.