The first international break of the season is here and Premier League players will jet far and wide to represent their nations this month.
For some, September’s break provides a chance to adorn their country’s colours for the first time.
Six Premier League players who could make their international debut this month:
Levi Colwill (England
Levi Colwill has long been backed as a future star of the England side and has earned his first inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s squad for September’s fixtures with Ukraine and Scotland.
Colwill impressed on loan at Brighton last season and has started each of Chelsea’s first four games of the Premier League campaign after returning to west London. The 20-year-old excelled for England at u-21 level during the summer, as the Young Lions were crowned European champions for the first time since 1984.
Levi Colwill sees Mauricio Pochettino as the perfect man-manager to help him reach his full potential pic.twitter.com/KPs239qrNz
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 6, 2023
Lee Carsley’s side achieved that feat without conceding a single goal with Colwill central to their defensive success, and the centre-back will now hope to earn his chance in the senior set-up. Southgate invited the left-sided central defender to train with the seniors in June and has clearly been impressed with Colwill’s development to date.
The defender has already outlined his ambition to break into the team before Euro 2024 next summer.
Levi Colwill aiming for England place at Euro 2024
Pascal Gross (Germany)
Pascal Gross has earned a long awaited call up to the German national side this month and could make his international debut at the age of 32.
Gross has been one of the Premier League’s most under-rated players during his six seasons with the Seagulls, who he helped to a top-six finish and Europa League qualification last season.
Gross scored nine goals and laid on eight assists for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, while his ability to thrive in multiple positions is sure to appeal to Germany head coach Hansi Flick.
80 – Pascal Groß created 80 chances for a teammate in the Premier League last season, a figure surpassed only by Bruno Fernandes (119), Kieran Trippier (110) and Kevin de Bruyne (98). Nominated. pic.twitter.com/AnBZlih2pC
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) August 31, 2023
Only three players – Bruno Fernandes, Kieran Trippier and Kevin De Bruyne – created more chances than Gross in the Premier League last season. It’s about time the multi-functional midfielder got his flowers.
“It was a total shock for me because there was no contact before, so it really came out of the blue, but I was overjoyed when they contacted me,” Gross said.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to represent my country and I’m so grateful to have been given the chance.
“The guys have welcomed me into the group and I’m having a great time. This is such an exciting opportunity and moment in my career.”
Gabriel (Brazil)
Gabriel Magalhães has been overlooked for past Brazil squads, but has joined Arsenal teammates Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus in the Selecao squad for fixtures with Bolivia and Peru this month.
The centre-back is part of the 23-man squad for the 2026 World Cup qualification games, despite a difficult start to the season at club level that has seen the Brazilian out of favour at the Emirates.
Gabriel is one of 10 players based in the Premier League called up by Brazil this month, with Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Richarlison (Spurs), Casemiro (Manchester United), Matheus Cunha (Wolves) and Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton (both Newcastle) also selected.
Eddie Nketiah (England)
Eddie Nketiah could join Arsenal teammate Gabriel in making his international debut this month, following his inclusion with England.
Nketiah has rejected advances from Ghana to represent England, for who he is the record goalscorer for the u-21 side. The forward has not been able to represent the u-21s since 2021, but remained patient in hope of a senior chance and could now debut against Ukraine on Saturday.
Bukayo Saka knew Eddie Nketiah’s England call-up was coming pic.twitter.com/RprYeWGTQi
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 5, 2023
The 24-year-old has scored twice in three Premier League starts for Arsenal so far this season and earned inclusion ahead of Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling this month.
Nketiah – who scored 16 goals in 17 appearances for England at u-21 level – will hope to replicate that form with the senior side.
Guglielmo Vicario (Italy)
Guglielmo Vicario has made a solid start to his career in the Premier League, having signed for Spurs from Empoli to replace Hugo Lloris in goal.
Lloris spent more than a decade as number one in north London, but Vicario is now tasked with being the last line of defence for Ange Postecoglou’s side. Vicario earned his first call up for Italy in September 2022, but is yet to make his debut for the Azzurri.
He faces a tough challenge to displace Gianluigi Donnarumma as Italy’s number one goalkeeper, ahead of fixtures with North Macedonia and Ukraine.
Elliot Anderson (Scotland)
Elliot Anderson has represented both England and Scotland during his youth career, but has decided to represent the latter at senior level.
Steve Clarke has included the midfielder in his squad for clashes with Cyprus and England this month, raising the prospect of the 20-year-old debuting against the nation he represented at u-19 level.
Anderson shone for Newcastle with a prolific run of form in pre-season and is on the fringes of Eddie Howe’s squad at St James’ Park.
Read – Left in Limbo: Five out-of-favour Premier League players who failed to secure transfers this summer
Read Also – Six exciting Premier League signings made by non ‘Big Six’ clubs this summer
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