#player-selection

#player-selection

"Leadership will also be a key factor in who GM Pascal Daoust selects in the draft. Last season, all seven of his picks were former captains."

South Africa's lineup sees all-rounder Wiaan Mulder return to first drop, while Lungi Ngidi strengthens the pace attack alongside Rabada and Jansen.

Kasey Keller expressed his confusion regarding the strategic decision-making behind player selections, indicating a lack of clarity in U.S. Soccer's messaging.

Serge Gnabry's call-up to the German national team for the Nations League Final Four raises questions due to his lackluster season, yet it aims to boost his confidence.

Unai Emery's approach to lineup decisions for Aston Villa can vary greatly, sometimes delivering news the night before or moments before departure, making consistency elusive.

In my opinion, we need to start rewarding players that play well regardless of the team that they play for in the Premier League, and that is a massive argument with the Nottingham Forest boys. For me, Morgan Gibbs-White was undoubtedly only brought in to the England squad as a late call-up because of the media attention that his omission received.

Michael O'Neill has just four more games to prepare the Northern Ireland team for their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign, which begins in September.

This week's games aren't super enticing, but strategic use of the Free Hit could provide an essential edge in upcoming blank gameweeks.