City trio make Argentina squad

Argentina have included three of Manchester City’s Premier League title-winning team in their provisional 30-man World Cup squad, with Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis all in Alejandro Sabella’s initial group. The trio were all part of the City side that clinched their second Premier League title in three years by finishing their season off with a 2-0 victory over West Ham at the Etihad.

While trio are now expected to all make the final 23-man squad, former City star Carlos Tevez definitely won’t be in Brazil this summer after being left out by Sabella. Despite coming off the back of a successful season with Juventus in which he played a key role in helping the side defend their Serie A title, Tevez didn’t do enough to earn a recall to the national team, continuing his near-three year absence from the side.

One surprise name in the provisional 30-man squad is that of former Chelsea and Wigan ‘hitman’ Franco di Santo – who has been missing as many barn-doors in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen as he did in England – although the 25-year old is likely to end up being named on Argentina’s standy-by list.

Erik Lamela’s dismal debut season in the Premier League with Tottenham has resulted in him being left out of the squad, with Sabella more than happy with the attacking options he has at his disposal, with Ageuro, Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Ezequiel Lavezzi all set to make the final 23-man squad.

The two-time World Cup winners have been tipped by many punters to be among the favourites for the title this summer, and it looks to be a no-brainer that the South Americans will finish on top of a Group F containing Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria. From there, though, it remains to be seen whether Messi and can go on and win the whole tournament.