In a week where Ireland started two Championship strikers in the hope of finally finding a replacement for Robbie Keane, Argentina's options up front seem even more implausible.
Tim Vickery joined Joe Molloy and Kevin Kilbane on OTB Monday Football Show to discuss the teams from the South America heading to this summer's World Cup in Russia, and talk soon turned to the players who won't even be part of Jorge Sampaoli's squad.
"The first thing he did when he took over was he went with Icardi and Dybala, and quite frankly it wasn't even mediocre, it was dreadful, it was awful".
"Dybala has said that he's finding it very hard to play in the same team as Messi, and that sincerity might mean that he misses out on the World Cup altogether. He could go perhaps as Messi's reserve, but I can't see him in the same starting line up as Messi".
The fact that a man who's scored 17 goals in 24 Serie A appearances may not even make his country's 23-man squad might seem ridiculous, but Dybala's compatriot Mauro Icardi is the exact same boat.
The Inter Milan captain, who's 22 goals in 24 Serie A appearances, is also unlikely to make the cut with Vickery stating the high probability for only one out-and-out centre forward in the squad. Even if there is room for two, a look at the options available to Sampaoli suggests that Icardi could be as far down the pecking order as fourth choice.
"In terms of Icardi I think it's looking bad for him, because there will be one centre forward and the likelihood is that if they're all fit it'll probably be Aguero. I think Higuain did well, led the line well, against Italy and has got himself now in contention".
"The other one is the new kid on the block Lautaro Martinez or Racing, who's kicking up a big storm in South America and just got in the squad for the first time, so it's looking bleak for Icardi".
We haven't even mentioned the fact that Carlos Tevez is back playing at a competitive level following his return to Boca Juniors. No? Just us? We still reckon 'El Apache' he can do a job in there somewhere.
To listen to the entire chat, which also included a discussion about the revitalised Brazil side, and the rest of Off The Ball's content check out our podcast page.
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