I hate the international break, but until I am crowned World Emperor of Soccer and am able to unilaterally eliminate it, I guess we’re stuck with it. Even so, with no REAL football for ten days it’s worth taking a look at which Tottenham Hotspur players have been called up to represent their countries, if only so we can track which players subsequently pick up injuries that add to Spurs’ already critical crisis.
Boy, I’m cheery today, aren’t I? Happy Hump Day I guess (WHOOP WHOOP).
First, it’s worth
noting who WASN’T called up. Randal Kolo Muani has remained in London after his jaw got in the way of Harry Maguire’s elbow last weekend and he withdrew from the France squad. Radu Dragusin also will not play for Romania, though Spurs have hinted he might get some minutes in a behind closed doors friendly match sometime over the next ten days, suggesting he could be set for a return to the first team soon. Destiny Udogie was not called up by Italy, likely because he’s only recently returned from injury himself. Mohammed Kudus is supposedly “touch and go” for Tottenham but he did not join up with his Ghana teammates in this cycle. Ben Davies has also withdrawn from the Wales camp and he continues to rehab from an injury. Yves Bissouma also was not called up by Mali.
Spurs players called up to international squads
- Albania U17 — Armend Muslika
- Argentina — Cristian Romero
- Austria — Kevin Danso
- Brazil — Richarlison
- Croatia — Luka Vuskovic
- England — Djed Spence
- England U21 — Ashley Phillips
- England U19 — Mikey Moore
- England U17 — Oscar Sandiford
- France U21 — Wilson Odobert, Mathys Tel
- Ireland U21 — Aaron Maguire, Mason Melia (joins Tottenham in January)
- Italy — Guglielmo Vicario
- Rep. Korea — Yang Minhyeok
- Netherlands — Xavi Simons, Micky van de Ven
- Northern Ireland — Jamie Donley
- Northern Ireland U19 — George Feeney
- Portugal — Joao Palhinha
- Senegal — Pape Matar Sarr
- Spain — Pedro Porro
- Sweden — Lucas Bergvall
- Uruguay — Rodrigo Bentancur
- Wales — Brennan Johnson
Some of these players will play a little, some of them will play a lot. For some, like Lucas Bergvall, it provides an opportunity to get critical match minutes coming off of an absence (i.e. a concussion) and for most it’s an chance to prove themselves at the international (or junior international) level.
