#player-selection

#player-selection

The announcement on May 12th will not just be an announcement, it will be a make or break statement for many names in German football.

The 28 man squad does not include anyone from the Diavolo squad, despite three potential options. Matteo Gabbia and Davide Bartesaghi have both been struggling with injuries recently.

There have been so many world-class players to have represented the six countries since Italy's inclusion to the championship in 2000. Success also comes into the equation, and longevity and influence. In many ways, these are linked, yet it was important to also recognise the outstanding individual contributions of those even if their sides were not title winners. Balancing, say, the achievements of the great England team at the start of the 2000s with the later achievements of Wales, France and Ireland is tricky.

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We are not collecting the most talented players. We are trying to build a team. Teams win trophies, no-one else.

You need every player to work and I think this season teams have targeted [Liverpool] down the right, Salah doesn't run back, there's an obvious concern for Liverpool down there because he's not getting back and not having the consistency of a right back playing every game. I think teams are targeting down that side. [Manchester] City done it and I felt sorry for Bradley, he needed help.

He said: I didn't like that, to be honest with you. It's something that the manager will address with him to explain that West Ham don't want to play like that to get somebody sent off. I thought he played well against Everton, but that is something that Nuno will be pulling him into his office for. He'll shut the door, one-to-one, show him the clip,

Heimir Hallgrimsson faced a few dilemmas in terms of team selection and admitted on the eve of the match that some training ground performances had changed his thinking. He has recalled Szmodics to the side, with the Ipswich player getting the nod ahead of his club mate Chiedozie Ogbene, who has gone on loan to Sheffield United. Ferguson was always expected to start but there was a question mark around the attacking formation with Azaz given the nod.

Any thoughts on why a club in need of a striker would fork out 66 million quid for one (Sesko) but choose not to play him? Is he injured? They need goals. To be completely honest, my guess is as good as yours! I don't think he's injured. At least, nothing has been said about any kind of injury. He should be fully match fit considering he had a full pre-season with RB Leipzig before moving to Manchester.

Kayla McBride, clearly the No. 2 player on the Lynx last season, was not selected as an All-Star despite impressive numbers, making it a surprising oversight by coaches.

"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.

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.