Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has called for Lisandro Martinez to start over "absolute clown" Nicolas Otamendi when Argentina take on the Netherlands in their World Cup quarter-final on Friday.
Martinez has been used infrequently by Lionel Scaloni during his time with Argentina in Qatar. The centre-back kept a clean sheet during his one and only start against Mexico, but has been named on the bench for the rest of the South American side's matches.
The United defender was brought on in the 50th minute during his nation's 2-1 win over Australia in the round of 16, as he went on to make a vital impact late on in the game. Martinez produced a superb last-ditch block to stop an almost certain equaliser, with many now calling for the 24-year-old to start against the Netherlands in their quarter-final clash.
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Parker is one of these advocates, as he heaped praised on Martinez for his heroic performances, while also criticising former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi - who has started every game for Argentina during their time in Qatar.
He told bettors : "The moment Lisandro Martinez came on [against Australia] everything changed. He came in and ´bang´, he made tackles, he was aggressive and he won the ball. He has to start next to Christian Romero in the next game. I really like Romero as well and think they will do very well together.
"I can't believe that Argentina are playing with Nicolás Otamendi instead of Lisandro Martinez. Otamendi is an absolute clown in a circus.
"He was that in Manchester City as well and it makes no sense that he is a starting player for his country. He has always made mistakes and he keeps doing that over and over again."
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