Posted January 8, 200916 yr http://www.goal.com/en/news/1711/chelsea/2...ow-with-scolari Young Chelsea striker Franco di Santo is facing a 'war of words' with his manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, over his decision to represent his country, Argentina, in the South American Under-20 Championship, which begins in Venezuela on 19 January. Di Santo has been selected in his country's squad for the competition, but Scolari is reluctant to let him go because of what the Brazilian perceives as a 'striker shortage' at Stamford Bridge. The Argentine FA have referred the matter to FIFA, which could rule that the club must let the player go. "I spoke to Scolari and he told me that he wouldn't let me go," Di Santo told Argentine television yesterday. "There are only three strikers in the squad: Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and me, and he told me that he needs me to stay in London." Chelsea skipper John Terry is apparently backing the 19-year-old though, who continued: "I spoke to John Terry a couple of times in the last couple of days and he said I was right to want to go and play. He said I'm only on the bench and need to get minutes in the team so I get noticed. I'm always on the bench. I've only played eight games this season, always coming on in the last 10 or 15 minutes." It has been reported in Argentina that national coach Diego Maradonna may well become involved in the situation and speak to Chelsea personally in an attempt to resolve it. "It makes me proud that Maradona is interested in my case," Di Santo commented. The Almeria player Pablo Piatti finds himself in an identical situation to Di Santo, causing a double headache for Argentina's Under-20 coach, Sergio Batista. "We are still waiting to see if Pablo Piatti and Franco di Santo can play for us. We have to wait and see what FIFA say. We are anxious for them to join us but we have to wait," was Batista's assessment of the situation.
January 8, 200916 yr Chelsea skipper John Terry is apparently backing the 19-year-old though, who continued: "I spoke to John Terry a couple of times in the last couple of days and he said I was right to want to go and play. He said I'm only on the bench and need to get minutes in the team so I get noticed. I'm always on the bench. I've only played eight games this season, always coming on in the last 10 or 15 minutes." Worrying that our captain isnt standing by the manager on this one.....very interesting, sounds like scolari is causing a rift, when clearly he should be allowed to play. Uh oh....this could get nasty
January 8, 200916 yr I just read that too, and can I just ask the question of is there an African Cup this season? Please no.
January 8, 200916 yr I for one am with Di Santo on that one. If Scolari was truly serious about playing him, he had zounds of chances to do so. And I think we can agree 7 minutes at the end of the odd game is not exactly anything. The lad needs playing time and that tournament can do him some good. Mind you, my opinion would have been entirely different if Scolari had shown some desire to include youngsters in his plans.
January 8, 200916 yr Striker shortage? I thought we were not going to play 4-4-2? I mean, we've got Drogba and Anelka to play as the lone striker and although it's not the optimal solution, Kalou can play there as well. How long does the tournament last anyway?
January 8, 200916 yr Yeah, Kalou said in pre-season that he was happy Scolari was coming in because he loves playing in 4-4-2... So much for that.
January 9, 200916 yr Well, Scolari is Brazilian. Di Santo is Argentinian. Brasil and Argentina don't exactly see eye to eye.
January 9, 200916 yr scolari saying that we only have 3 strikers has to be a bit of a slap in the face to Kalou. I know he's not that prolific, but..... Anyway, I don't understand Scolari on this one at all. He's hardly figured in our plans recently, so a run in a atournament such as this would be great for young Franco. If Di Santo was playing week in week out (I know, he's been injured, but prior to that) I'd also be reluctant to let him go. But that, simply put, has not been the case. However, I do think bringing what Terry has said into matters is not a good move. I understand that Terry probably wants to bring the lad's confidence up, but to undermind the manager at the same time is not a good move, although I'm not convinced Terry would have known that Franco would have gone publilc with his comments! Scott
January 9, 200916 yr JT sounds like he was more trying to emphasize with Franco jr than take sides against the manager, but the whole thing is stupid Scolari has this one wrong. Striker shortage? Stay in London? Dont say these things if you dont play him, plain and simple
January 9, 200916 yr club v country again if di santo does go at least he will get more than a few minutes of game time, he will probably play a full part in all games for the argies, which will improve his match fitness should he be needed on his return if he stays he will probably be a bench warmer and get a few minutes here and there which although he gets valuable experience but hardly seems worth his while di santo will know what scolari has planned for him regarding his future, well at least i hope so
January 9, 200916 yr If he was playing as often as Drogba or Anelka then I'd very much agree with Scolari, as it is, it seems a waste him being at Chelsea, and he'll be a lot better off playing in this tournament IMO
January 10, 200916 yr I have a simple solution. Chelsea pay your wages di Santo- so do as they say. International football is a second-tier competition.
January 10, 200916 yr He needs to let Di Santo go to the tournament. He needs to play and get his confidence to a higher level. It is just wrong against the young lad to shackle him to Chelsea bench even worse that it already is. Scolari doesn't strike me as a diplomat type but I thought he was at least fair to his players. Edited January 10, 200916 yr by evissy
January 10, 200916 yr The fact that this story has not been reported anywhere apart from goal.com means, for me, it is as credible as Vanilla Ice's claims to being one of the hood. However if there is any truth in it I would say that I would have every sympathy with Di Santo in terms of wanting to be released for the tournament but would say he hasn't been too smart speaking publicly about JT's input.
January 10, 200916 yr Di Santo to remain with Chelsea Sat 10 Jan, 10:15 AM Chelsea forward Franco Di Santo has confirmed he will not play for Argentina in the Under-20 South American Championship in Venezuela.Despite being included in Sergio Batista's squad for the tournament, which gets under way on January 19, the 19-year-old attacker revealed he has not been given permission to play by Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. "Scolari already told me he will not let me go to the South American cup. He said there are too many injured forwards and he needs me here," Di Santo told TyC Sports. "He explained to me he only has three strikers to count on, (Didier) Drogba, (Nicolas) Anelka and me. He wants me here." However, Batista, who led the Argentina Under-23 side to Olympic gold in Beijing, is hoping FIFA will be sympathetic in their attempts to have Di Santo and Almeria striker Pablo Piatti released for the tournament. "We have to be patient because they are two important players for us," he said. "Julio (Grondona, Argentina FA president and FIFA vice president) is going to talk with FIFA and we expect to count on them." source