The top 10 international debutants to look out for this week

The fact that this is the last international break of the year will be relief for many, but for some players it represents an opportunity to stake a claim for a place at the World Cup next summer. The following are ten of the most intriguing international call-ups hoping to impress and make their debuts in the next week.

Cristian Pavon (Argentina)

For all of the riches at Jorge Sampaoli’s disposal in the Argentina attack, the South Americans stumbled through qualifying and places at next summer’s World Cup are certainly up for grabs. 21-year-old winger Pavon will hope to take any opportunities he’s given this week with both hands then, and he’s certainly been in flying form for faultless Boca Juniors thus far. With three goals and five assists he’s contributed to eight wins from the club’s opening eight matches, from which they boast a +19 goal difference, with the youngster ranking fourth in WhoScored.com’s ratings in Argentina to date (7.74).

Tammy Abraham (England)

With Harry Kane sidelined through injury there’s a real chance for Tammy Abraham to stake a claim under Gareth Southgate in the upcoming friendlies with Germany and Brazil. The youngster has been a bright spark in a dismal campaign for Swansea to date, with four goals and an assist meaning he has had a direct hand in all but two of the Welsh outfit’s goals this season.

Joe Gomez (England)

Profiting from the absence of Nathaniel Clyne for both club and country, Gomez has impressed filling in at right-back for the former Saints defender. He plays in his favoured position at centre-back for England’s U21s and it’s there that Southgate sees his international future. Having made the most tackles and interceptions combined for Liverpool this season (3.7), he currently occupies a place in the Premier League team of the season with a rating of 7.11.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (England)

Like Abraham, Loftus-Cheek is on loan to a fellow Premier League club from Chelsea and, like Abraham, he too has been a leading light for struggling Crystal Palace. Another player that has excelled in the Three Lions’ youth set up, his call up came as something of a surprise given his injury problems this season but when he has featured the 21-year-old has impressed. His physical presence could be on show in the England midfield and Loftus-Cheek would certainly add some drive in that area in the absence of Dele Alli in particular. Only clubmate Andros Townsend has averaged more dribbles per game in the Premier League this season (3.1)

Steven N’Zonzi (France)

Speaking of physical presences in midfield, many feel that Steven N’Zonzi’s chance to stake a claim for a place in the France squad is long overdue. The Sevilla man has been one of the most dominant middle men in La Liga since a move from Stoke. His ability to keep possession, boasting a 91.3% pass accuracy across the league and Champions League this season, while offering a significant aerial presence in the middle of the park could really benefit les bleus.

Marcel Halstenberg (Germany)

Injury to Jonas Hector has thrown the left-back berth in Jogi Loew’s Germany squad wide open, with Marcel Halstenberg the latest player set to be trialled in what has proven a problem position for Die Mannschaft. The 26-year-old has been a regular fixture for RB Leipzig since their promotion in 2016 and his strength is that he has no real weakness, whilst being strong in the air and supporting the attack well, registering two assists this season.

Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)

Having plied his trade in Italy until now it’s taken a return to his homeland for Bruno Fernandes to earn recognition from the senior national team for the European champions. The 23-year-old has enjoyed an excellent start to life at Sporting CP, scoring his sixth goal of the season at the weekend, making this the most prolific of his career after just ten appearances. With a further two assists, he’s earned a WhoScored.com rating of 7.53 and is the most intriguing of a number of first time call ups for Portugal.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia)

That Milinkovic-Savic hasn’t been capped for the Serbia national team to now is quite remarkable. A star player in Serie A with Lazio for over 18 months, he is arguably the player that his international side should be built around. Set to be under a new manager during next summer’s World Cup following the departure of Slavoljub Muslin, a midfield comprising of the 22-year-old and Nemanja Matic is one to be feared by those they may face. Whilst providing great physicality and aerial prowess, Milinkovic-Savic has the technique and poise to make a real name for himself next summer.

Luis Alberto (Spain)

Milinkovic-Savic’s club mate at Lazio, Alberto’s superb displays in behind Ciro Immobile have meant that the former has reverted to a deeper role in midfield. The former Liverpool man has really come of age thus far this season and, at 25, has thoroughly deserved a first chance to impress for Spain in the coming days. With three goals and five assists to his name in 11 appearances, he’s earned the third highest rating in Serie A this season (7.99) and was named WhoScored.com’s player of the month for October.

Suso (Spain)

Elsewhere in Italy, another former Anfield resident has put any disappointment at not making the grade for the Reds behind him. Suso left the Premier League club back in 2013 and since joining Milan a year later he’s become an integral part of the club. Indeed, the rossoneri made wholesale changes during the summer but the 23-year-old is one of a handful to have retained his place, and for good reason, scoring five goals and registering three assists in ten league starts this season.