Having already looked at who I think will be in Gerardo Martino’s starting eleven for the Copa América it is time to take a look at who will make up the remainder of the 23-man squad. The options from the bench to change a match and to provide sufficient cover for the inevitable injuries and suspensions that are picked up over the course of the tournament makes this group equally important. However, just as with the starting eleven, Martino’s safety first approach is unlikely to see many real surprises among the group.

Goalkeepers

Much like Sabella did before him, Martino looks likely to stick with the three goalkeepers that he has named in recent squads, creating a familiar unit among the group where each is comfortable in their role. Sergio Romero, despite his continued struggled at club level, will keep his place as the number one having performed admirably in Brazil but the two that will travel to Chile with him are likely to be Real Sociedad youngster, Gerónimo Rulli and Tigres keeper, Nahuel Guzmán.
22-year-old Rulli is without question a future number one and after impressing whilst with Estudiantes has since stepped up and looked comfortable in La Liga with Real Sociedad. Being part of the squad for a major tournament will be a good step in his progression before Russia 2018 and beyond.
Guzmán was the Newell’s goalkeeper when Martino led them to the 2013 Torneo Final and so he is a player that Tata will trust and will know the type of personality he is to have in the group. Since his move to Liga MX Guzmán has continued to prove himself as a very able keeper and, as Martino prefers, is very comfortable with the ball at his feet to play out from the back.

Defence

Based on the most recent friendlies it would have appeared that Villarreal’s Mateo Musacchio had moved into pole position as the main backup to the established centre-halves. The 24-year-old partnered Ramiro Funes Mori (who surely will not be getting a call) against El Salvador and had been performing well in La Liga this season until the horrific broken ankle that he suffered a couple of weeks ago. His misfortune however provides a window of opportunity for another.
In spite of this enforced shuffle, I think Martino is more likely to look to experience rather than a relatively untried defender and with that in mind, Martín Demichelis could be the man.  The Manchester City defender has improved after his difficult start to life in England and was still in Martino’s squad as recently as the Portugal friendly in November. The 34-year-old is still a very capable defender and was oustanding after coming into the national side midway through the World Cup. His experience would make him an incredibly useful member of the squad.
Within the squad there is a degree of flexibility that could cover in defence with Marcos Rojo more than able to slot inside at centre-back or Javier Mascherano to drop back into the back four as he does at club level and two of the other names to cover both at full-back could also if required play centrally. Facundo Roncaglia and Lucas Orbán featured at right-back and left-back respectively during the recent friendlies: Orbán was hardly tested against El Salvador while Roncaglia was adequate but not earth shattering against Ecuador. Both have enjoyed decent campaigns domestically and would appear to have caught the eye of Martino at the crucial time.
Two that are perhaps unfortunate to be overlooked are set to be José María Basanta and Cristian Ansaldi. Basanta was excellent when asked to cover for the suspended Marcos Rojo in Brazil but was not in the most recent squad while Ansaldi has struggled since a knee injury before the end of 2014. Prior to that the Atlético Madrid defender was in good form and impressed in the friendly against Croatia in November but a ligament strain ruled out the 28-year-old for longer than expected and he has struggled to get back into the starting eleven.

Midfield

Having already named five midfielders in the two possible formations in part one there are perhaps three slots still available in Martino’s Copa América squad.
Every national team manager seems to have certain players that are considered ‘his’. Those who they introduce to international football, who remain central to their plans and who they obviously trust. For Gerardo Martino that is Juventus’ Roberto Pereyra and the 24-year-old looks to be a shoo-in for the final twenty-three. The former River midfielder has been outstanding for Juve this season and since being given his Argentina debut by Martino against Brazil in China has been a regular in his squads. His skill, pace and willingness to get forward could be a great asset from the bench.
Joining him are likely to be some more familiar faces to the international set-up. Éver Banega narrowly missed out on Alejandro Sabella’s World Cup squad but has returned under Martino and scored in the recent victory over El Salvador. The 26-year-old possesses huge talent but has largely seen a lack of consistency and off-field misdemeanors hold him back. With Valencia this season, Banega has shown on a more regular basis what he is capable of and will likely be one of the central midfield options as a backup to Lucas Biglia.
Finally, Fernando Gago may well regain his place in the squad after only injury prevented him travelling to the United States last month. In spite of his awful form at Boca in 2014, Sabella still took the number five to Brazil but this season, Gago is reproducing something near to his best. This ‘best’ is effective rather than eye-catching but Gago has a superb relationship with Messi and the senior members of the squad from the youth divisions and if he is fit and in-form I think he will be in Chile.
Missing out then would be Maxi Rodríguez, who at 34 years of age is perhaps best phased out of the national side for some younger players to come through and Érik Lamela, who despite being admired by Martino has struggled for playing time at Tottenham and has done little to justify a place in the squad. Benfica’s Nicolás Gaitan could also be set for disappointment once again after being named in the squad against Croatia and Portugal but dropping out more recently and sadly for Independiente’s Federico Mancuello his goal-scoring debut against El Salvador will prove to be his sole moment in the national team spotlight (at least for now).

Forwards

In attack Argentina are really spoiled for choice and there are very few national sides that could afford to overlook the likes of Paulo Dybala, Luciano Vietto and Mauro Icardi but that it would appear is what Gerardo Martino will do. The three youngsters have been superb at Palermo, Villarreal and Inter Milan respectively and are certainly viewed as the future of the national side but the Copa América will come to soon for them and so perhaps the 2016 Olympics squad will be their chance.
While there are arguments that any one of those three should be included it is very difficult to justify who they should replace. Gonzalo Higuaín did not enjoy the best World Cup but offers something very different to the other centre forwards and has been in blistering form for Napoli. When on-form there are few better number nines in world football and still only 27, Pipita is well worth his place.
Ezequiel Lavezzi’s position in the squad could perhaps come under threat but as a hugely popular figure within the squad and a player who can play wide in a variety of formations, El Pocho is a valuable player to have on the bench.
Which brings us to a certain Mr Tevez. Gerardo Martino’s big call so far in his tenure has been to recall Carlos Tevez after Alejandro Sabella had frozen him out. Having done so at almost the earliest opportunity and continuing to pick the Juventus striker it would be a little odd to omit him from the Copa América squad. It is true that Tevez has rarely, if ever, reproduced his club form in an Argentina shirt but there is little doubting the ability and the popularity among the supporters for Tevez. Leading scorer in Serie A and a key part in Juventus’ Champions League run, Tevez appears to have matured a little and at least judging by his attitude in recent friendlies appears content with his role in the squad. Rumours of him creating unrest have disappeared and he sounds like a man ready to represent his country once again when interviewed. Having a player of the calibre of Tevez on the bench could prove to be a huge weapon for La Albiceleste.

Copa América Squad

Sergio Romero
Gerónimo Rulli
Nahuel Guzmán

Ezequiel Garay
Nicolás Otamendi
Pablo Zabaleta
Facundo Roncaglia
Lucas Orbán
Marcos Rojo
Martín Demichelis

Javier Mascherano
Lucas Biglia
Ángel Di María
Enzo Pérez
Javier Pastore
Éver Banega
Roberto Pereyra
Fernando Gago

Lionel Messi
Gonzalo Higuaín
Sergio Agüero
Ezequiel Lavezzi
Carlos Tevez