The 'Jefecito' returns to his nation's midfield for a tense clash against Venezuela, but his talents could be better utilised in defence

A DUCK TO WATER ...

Ben Hayward, Goal.com Spain Editor

"Mascherano took some time to win over Barcelona’s notoriously-demanding supporters. The Argentine midfielder was signed as a replacement for Yaya Toure, a fans’ favourite at Camp Nou for his lung-busting runs and spectacular shooting. Mascherano, it appeared, had neither. Javier’s debut in Barca colours was unfortunate, too, as the Catalans lost 2-0 at home to newly-promoted side Hercules. Subsequent appearances were little better and Mascherano looked incompatible with Sergio Busquets. Indeed, he was seen as an inferior option by the Catalan public. But not by Pep Guardiola. The Barca coach kept the faith and slowly but surely, Mascherano adapted. Where Mascherano truly won over the fans, however, was not in midfield, but at the back. Mascherano took to the defensive role like a duck to water, timing tackles to perfection and forming a formidable tandem with Gerard Pique. With Carles Puyol sidelined at the beginning of the current campaign and Pique out as well, the Argentine has been asked to fill in at the back once more. Again, he has responded brilliantly. So much so that should Puyol retire any time soon, most Barca fans will be happy for Masche to stay there on a permanent basis, which is quite a compliment."

By Daniel Edwards | South American Football EditorStripped of the Argentina captaincy following the appointment of Alejandro Sabella, Javier Mascherano's place in the Seleccion midfield no longer looks untouchable. As a shaky defence remains a weak point in the otherwise well-oiled machine, however, it is time to consider the Barcelona man as an option at the back, where he has impressed so much in Catalunya.As Lionel Messi's men land in the idyllic beach-resort city of Puerto La Cruz, situated on Venezuela's Caribbean coast, they are nonetheless aware that their stay will be no holiday.Cesar Farias' team made a less than auspicious start in the World Cup qualifiers, going down convincingly to Ecuador with a team designed to combat the disconcerting altitude of Quito, but which, in the end lacked, the quality or experience to take points off the formidable hosts.One would be wise, however, not to pay too much heed to these events. The real potential of South America's traditional whipping-boys could be seen in the Copa America, where they reached a historic semi-final. This marked the continuation of the process started in the previous qualification campaign, finishing just two points shy of Uruguay and the final playoff place; the same Uruguay team, let's not forget, which stormed to the semi-finals in South Africa and lifted this year's Copa.In their own backyard, then, the Vinotinto are bound to put up a fight, and they have a better chance than ever to break their 100 per cent losing record against their illustrious rivals. Argentina looked accomplished against the kamikaze attacks of Chile on Friday, but while Gonzalo Higuain and Messi lead a forward line full of confidence and verve, the men at the back still inspire less than complete confidence.A 4-1 victory against a team of Chile's calibre should be celebrated, but there is no denying that, while 'Pipita' was taking apart a pitiful away defence, Claudio Borghi's men had no shortage of chances. The consolation goal conceded would have provoked the ire of a Sunday League coach, while a little more precision from normally-deadly striker Humberto Suazo could have made the game a vastly different one.This is where Mascherano could come in. The defensive midfielder is no Xavi either for club or country, and in a team which prioritised lightning-quick movement and rapier attacks down the flanks against the Roja, his brand of cautious, safety-first marshaling in midfield could find itself rather obsolete in this brave new era.It is hard to see what Javier can bring to the table that, say, Ever Banega or Fernando Gago could not, and these two add a certain attacking intent that the former skipper cannot boast. In defence, meanwhile, a place seems ready-made for him.Nicolas Burdisso continues to prove that he is not an international-class defender, while the back three is completed by the promising but green Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis; no doubt an astute reader of the game, but prone to catastrophic errors when he takes his eye off the figurative - and sometimes literal - ball.At 5ft 9in Mascherano is on the small side for a defender, but he has proved in Spain that his judgement and timing in the tackle honed by years of midfield toil in Argentina, Brazil and England makes him a more than adequate proposition at the back. Sabella favours a back-three and it is no massive stretch of the imagination to see the former Liverpool man as a modern-day libero, breaking up opposition attacks around the penalty area and quickly shifting play forward while leaving the more heavy-duty play to his partners.At the moment, we are dealing almost exclusively in supposition. 'El Jefecito' is an accomplished international midfielder with 75 caps behind him, and there is no reason to doubt that he cannot continue to play as he always has in a winning Argentina team.The doubts over the defence, however, will not go away overnight. A tortuous Caribbean night on Tuesday, and dropped points against a team most Argentines feel it is a right to beat comfortably, would turn the magnifying glass inexorably on those at the back. Extreme decisions are sometimes necessary to reverse chronic situations, and if Burdisso and his team-mates continue to fail, pushing the 27-year-old further down the pitch must be considered as a viable option.

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