3 winners & losers from the September international break

Winner #2 – Gabriel

Despite enjoying a stellar 2022/23 campaign, Gabriel wasn’t considered by former Brazil manager Tite and, as a result, stayed at home for the 2022 Qatari World Cup.

Things have changed for the better, though, with Fernando Diniz now at the helm as caretaker boss. Diniz put things right and gave Gabriel his first Brazil call-up before the left-footed defender earned his first two caps for his country.

The Gooner started both of Brazil’s games in September, fighting off a knock to keep a clean sheet in the Selecao’s 1-0 win over Peru. Gabriel was excellent on Tuesday night, and he could finally emerge as a mainstay in Brazil’s backline ahead of next summer’s Copa America.

Loser #2 – William Saliba

On the contrary, Saliba has some work to do if he’s to win over Didier Deschamps.

France’s centre-back talent pool is just obscene, and while many of us would argue that Saliba is currently the best France has to offer despite his youth, Deschamps doesn’t quite see it that way. He’s certainly not first-choice as it stands, and he didn’t do much to enhance his chances as he was included in the starting XI which was beaten 2-1 by Germany on Tuesday night.

Saliba produced a fine display in Dortmund, but, for now, it looks as if he’ll be watching from the sidelines at Euro 2024 next summer.

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