PAULO DYBALA is one of the most exciting young talents in world football.
The Juventus star has come into the World Cup on the back of his finest ever season in club football, netting 26 times in 46 games.
AP:Associated Press Juventus duo Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala
Why is Paulo Dybala not playing for Argentina at the World Cup?
THE JUVENTUS star is in the 23-man squad for Russia - but has only featured once so far.
As a result he's clocked up just 22 minutes of action in the World Cup, despite his side struggling for form and consistency.
That cameo came in the embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Croatia, where Dybala replaced Enzo Perez in midfield.
Getty Images Juventus and Argentina striker Paulo Dybala is on Real's wishlist
Often seen as the future replacement for Lionel Messi, the Argentine star is more versatile than the Barcelona star and can play in a number of attacking roles along the front-line or behind the forwards.
Boss Jorge Sampaoli has stated that they can play together, despite many believing it to be a similar situation to Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard's incompatibility in the England side just over a decade ago.
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Instagram Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and Gabriel Mercado prepare to board The Rolling Stones' private jet
Dybala operates best through the middle, whilst Messi likes to drift in from wide - but currently the powers that be in the Argentinian team don't seem keen to play them together.
Argentina faced France for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals, but were defeated in a dramatic 4-3 thriller.
Getty - Contributor The Argentine was left on the bench again in the last-16 defeat to France
Dybala once again found himself on the bench and didn't feature.
And it looks unlikely that he will get a regular spot whilst Messi reigns supreme for the national side - or until a new boss enters the fray.
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WC Player Profile: Paulo Dybala
By Football Italia staff
After a mixed season, La Joya must accept the role of super-sub and apprentice at this World Cup, writes Emmet Gates.
The Juventus youngster is reaching the level of full maturation and started the campaign with a bang, but has realistically struggled to take a big game by the scruff of the neck since sweeping Barcelona aside 3-0.
This tournament in Russia may have come a little early for Dybala, as with Lionel Messi there and Jorge Sampaoli on the bench, he simply doesn't have enough room to shine in this side.
He can still make the most of the super-sub role, starting today in the Round of 16 against France.
Click here for the full Paulo Dybala profile.
Or have a look round our 2018 World Cup Guide, including national analysis, more individual profiles, match reports and features.
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Bizarre Paulo Dybala stat perfectly sums up Argentina’s World Cup campaign
A statistic surrounding the number of minutes on the pitch afforded to Paulo Dybala by Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli at this summer’s World Cup has been going viral online this evening.
Matchup
The Albiceleste went head to head with France in the first of the World Cup’s Last-16 ties a short time ago, with the latter having headed into proceedings as clear favourites to advance to the competition’s final 8.
4-3
And an absolutely sensational 90 minutes was subsequently played out in Kazan, with a blistering start from France having been capped by a converted Antoine Griezmann penalty in the 13th-minute.
However, Argentina worked their way back into proceedings as the opening 45 minutes wore on, with the Albiceleste having been rewarded for their increased pressure courtesy of a sensational strike from Angel Di Maria:
GOAL Argentina#FRA 1-1 ARG What a hit from Angel di Maria! One of the goals of the tournament. Game on! #RTEsoccer Live Updates: https://t.co/OnJgUORzbr pic.twitter.com/4Km3QiMGYT — RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 30, 2018
And, incredibly, despite France having looked capable of simply steamrolling Argentina during the game’s opening 20 minutes, the latter then went on to take the lead, when Lionel Messi’s effort on the turn was deflected home by Gabriel Mercado following the interval.
However, this was as good as things got for the South Americans, as a blistering 10-minute spell a little over 10 minutes into the second-half from France saw Les Bleus find the net 3 times in quick succession.
Benjamin Pavard started things off with an absolutely stunning piece of technique, before Man of the Match Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace to effectively put an end to Argentina’s hopes of progression.
GOAL #FRA 2-2 #ARG Pavard (just wait for the replay from behind!). Ladies and gentleman, we’ve got a classic on our hands.#RTEsoccer Live updates: https://t.co/OnJgUOzYjT pic.twitter.com/HLfEQZJdI7 — RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 30, 2018
Substitute Sergio Aguero did manage to pull one back in injury-time, but it was too little, too late, as a hugely-underwhelming Argentine World Cup campaign came to a predictable end.
Stat
The inquest into the shortcomings of the 2-time World Cup winners has already begun, with the main culprit targeted by the media having understandably been manager Jorge Sampaoli.
Despite a number of the Albiceleste’s stars having flattered to deceive during their 4-game stint in this summer’s competition, no one individual has been more accountable for Argentina’s eventual elimination than Sampaoli, with the former Chile boss’ team selections and decision-making having proven frankly-baffling at times.
Of the choices made by the 58-year-old over the last couple of weeks, none has been more questionable than the call to constantly leave out Juventus star Paulo Dybala, despite the forward’s sensational talents.
The decision to bench Dybala from the start of games can at least be somewhat justified, due to the fact that he and Lionel Messi have struggled to co-exist during their previous time on the pitch together.
However, Sampaoli’s insistence on leaving the 24-year-old, known for his eye for goal and ability to create something from nothing, out even when his side are desperately searching for late goals is utterly inexcusable.
Today marked the latest instance of Dybala being left to watch on from the sidelines whilst his country struggled to create chances, with the fact that the gifted attacker was afforded no time on the pitch once again having since given rise to a remarkable statistic:
Paolo Dybala had more goals for Juventus in 2017-18 (26) than minutes in this World Cup (22). — Jeff Rueter (@jeffrueter) June 30, 2018
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Paulo Dybala has only been on the pitch for 22 minutes of this World Cup - and it's extraordinary when you take into account his incredible record for his national side.
Argentina have scrapped through to the knockout stages of the World Cup after drawing to Iceland 1-1 and then getting crushed 3-0 to a dominant Croatia. They salvaged a win over Nigeria 2-1 thanks to a brilliant goal by Lionel Messi.
But the warning signs are there and the South Americans look shaky this summer's tournament.
News has emerged about how their manager Jorge Sampaoli had been stripped of power.
We all know Argentina aren't exactly lacking in attacking options, but even still, as you can see from these stats, Dybala should get a look in. He's been in tremendous form for his club, the Italy champions Juve.
Paulo Dybala's 2017-18 season:
26 goals
5 assists
3.6 shots per game
87% pass completion
1.8 key passes per game
2.8 dribbles completed per game
He's only been on the pitch for 22 minutes in Russia. :astonished: pic.twitter.com/Fc9gOHiOiN
- bet365 (@bet365) 30 June 2018
During the 2017-18 season for Italian giants Juventus, 26 goals, provided five assists, made 3.6 shots per game, had a pass completion rate of 87%, made1.8 key passes per game, and topped it all off with an 2.8 dribbles completed per game.
Not bad going for a player whose only seen 22 minutes of World Cup action.
Is this guy injured? Last time i checked Paulo Dybala was an Argentinian . Can this coach give him a chance. Mxim
- Keagan Buchanan (@keagan_buchanan) 26 June 2018
Dybala
Surely the attacker deserves a more of a run-in, especially considering how terrible the South American have been at this World Cup so far?
Do you think Dylaba deserves a spot in the side? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
