3 Key Questions After De Paul & Paredes Left: Who’s the New Midfield Anchor?

The Void Left Behind

When Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes both pulled out for Copa America, it wasn’t just an absence—it was a structural recalibration. In that semi-final clash with Croatia, their departure left a gap in both control and physicality. As an analyst who’s tracked every pass in every match since 2019, I’ll be honest: this isn’t just about missing faces. It’s about missing roles.

The Third Man Dilemma

Who fills the void as Argentina’s third central midfielder? Let’s be clear: this spot isn’t just about energy or tackles. It demands composure under pressure—someone who can transition from defense to attack without losing rhythm.

Enzo Fernández brings elite defensive metrics: high interception rates and strong xG chain disruption (per Opta), but lacks consistent possession stability. Mac Allister offers balance—he ranks top 10 among midfielders in progressive passes per 90—but his stamina dips late in games.

Almada? He’s exciting—but more of a spark than a foundation. His role at Atlético is wide; adapting to central midfield requires more than talent.

Tactical Flexibility Under Fire

Argentina has leaned on four-man midfield systems before—this isn’t new. But when two of your core pillars are gone, you’re not tweaking tactics—you’re rethinking identity.

The solution may lie not in one player but in rotation. Think of it like chess: if one piece is off-board, you don’t panic—you reposition others to maintain control.

And yes, I know people talk about ‘midfield hardness.’ Fair enough—but let me clarify: hardness isn’t always brute force. It’s decision-making speed under duress—a quality that shows up on xG difference charts more than anywhere else.

So who will be Argentina’s fourth man? Not always obvious—but statistically speaking, Mac Allister leads in sustained influence across all phases of play since last year.

Final Thought: Adaptability Over Perfection

This isn’t about replacing legends—it’s about proving adaptability matters more than consistency when stars vanish from the lineup.

I’ll keep tracking performance clusters, XG models, and workload patterns weekly—because football evolves not through grand declarations but through quiet shifts like these.