Eight international debutants to watch out for from the Premier League
Now the madness of transfer deadline day is out of the way, it is time to turn our attention to the international break. Flying footballers out around the world to mingle with other footballers from around the world doesn't seem best practice during a global pandemic but money talks and that's where we are at the moment. Some countries are even cramming in three fixtures rather than two.
That has led to some national team managers naming extended squads and we should see a lot more debutants over the next two weeks than normal. Scanning through the various big name countries, we have picked out eight Premier League stars that are primmed for their international bows that are worth keeping an eye on.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton / England)
Where better place to start than the Premier League's top goal scorer this season. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored in each of Everton's first four league matches, netting six goals in the process. Everton are one of only two teams in the Premier League left with 100 per cent records and Calvert-Lewin's goals have played an integral role to their flying start. Having never scored a hat-trick prior to this season, the 23-year-old netted two in the space of 11 days in all competitions. You would expect Calvert-Lewin to follow up on his first senior call-up with his senior England debut at one point over the next week or so.
Emilinao Martinez (Aston Villa / Argentina)
Emiliano Martinez's fine performances post-lockdown haven't just gone down well in England but also back home in Argentina. Martinez finished last season with the best save success rate (83.8%) in the Premier League with Arsenal and has made a fine start to life at Aston Villa, keeping a clean sheet in two of their first three league matches. With Sergio Romero firmly out of the picture at Manchester United and few other quality alternatives around, Martinez not only has the chance to make his debut for Argentina this week but also cement himself as their new No.1.
Harvey Barnes (Leicester / England)
Harvey Barnes was perhaps the surprise name in Gareth Southgate's England squad for upcoming matches with Wales, Belgium and Denmark but his inclusion is certainly on merit after gradually developing into a key player for Brendan Rodgers' side. The 22-year-old has played a direct hand in 16 league goals since the beginning of last season and has scored or assisted twice in Leicester's opening four league matches this time around. With Raheem Sterling ruled out for England, Barnes is a step closer to making his senior England debut.
Daniel Podence (Wolves / Portugal)
Some may even say Wolves and Portugal are the same team given the former's transfer activity in recent years. Daniel Podence is the latest to emerge from Wolves with a chance of representing A Selecao after really coming into his own for the Premier League outfit post-lockdown. With compatriot Diogo Jota now at Liverpool, Podence has an even better chance for an extended run in the Wolves side. Podence has two assists in Wolves' first three league matches, even nutmegging Kevin De Bruyne in the process of setting up Raul Jimenez for his first against Manchester City at the start of the campaign.
Reece James (Chelsea / England)
If there is one position England are not short of options then it's at right-back. Southgate can go with experience in Kyle Walker or Kieran Trippier or lean on emerging talent like Trent Alexander-Arnold and now Reece James, while there is also Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka in reserve. While not named in Southgate's original squad, James was promoted from the U21s earlier this week. The 20-year-old is the highest WhoScored rated right-back in the Premier League this season (7.65), with one goal and one assist in three league games for Frank Lampard's side, already equalling his goal return from 24 league appearances last season.
Adama Traore (Wolves / Spain)
Available to represent both Spain and Mali, Adama Traore has offically decided to pursue an international career with the former. Traore, who came through Barcelona's fabled youth academy, arguably offers something no other player in world football can. Once the Wolves powerhouse gets going, it's almost impossible to stop him. Spain called Traore up for the last international break only for the 24-year-old to pull out after testing positive for COVID-19. He will hope to avoid any such bad luck this time around and turn out for La Roja. Since the beginning of last season, Traore has completed more dribbles than any Spanish player in Europe's top five leagues (205) - more than second and third combined (154).
🇪🇸 Most dribbles completed of Spanish players in Europe's top 5 leagues since the start of last season:
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 5, 2020
🥇 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗲 - 𝟮𝟬𝟱
🥈 Jose Campana - 78
🥉 Luis Alberto - 76
🤯 Traore, who has decided to represent Spain, has completed more than second & third combined pic.twitter.com/we69KayJMt
Dean Henderson (Man Utd / England)
Jordan Pickford survived the last international break and may well remain England's No.1 during this break but the pressure is on. Pickford has committed three errors directly leading to an opposition goal in six gams for Everton this season and Carlo Ancelotti responded by signing Robin Olsen from Roma on deadline day. With Dean Henderson closing in on David de Geas No.1 spot at Old Trafford, the wheels appear to be in motion for a change between the sticks for th Three Lions. Whether Henderson gets the chance to debut for England here remains to be seen but surely it's only a matter of time before he gets his chance for England.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal / England)
Gareth Southgate resisted calling up Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka for the last international break but has included the versatile defender in his extended squad this time around. Saka has been a revelation for the Gunners since the beginning of last season. In fact, only Trent Alexander-Arnold (16) has provided more assists in all competitions than Saka (13) among English Premier League players. With Ben Chilwell ruled out of England's friendly with Wales on Thursday, Saka could even make his England bow straight away.
