Watkins and Pedri among ten potential international debutants to watch

The first international break of 2021 is upon us and the lengthy period since the previous domestic hiatus has presented a number of players with the chance to impress their international bosses. In the four-month break, there are those who have done enough to warrant a first call up and they'll be looking to earn a first cap in the coming days as we pick out 10 seeking to make their international debut this month. 

Ollie Watkins - England

Ollie Watkins' England call up marked quite the career landmark for a player who, seven years ago, was plying his trade for Weston-super-Mare. There was some fortune at his international recognition, with injuries to Danny Ings, Callum Wilson and Tammy Abraham forcing Gareth Southate to cast a wider net in the national pool. Nevertheless, it's deserved for Watkins, who has 10 league goals to his name and could have had more having struck the woodwork more times (7) than any other Premier League player this season. While unlikely to leapfrog Harry Kane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the pecking order, this week's meeting with San Marino offers the 25-year-old the chance of a first cap. 

Michal Helik - Poland 

Barnsley's rise up the Championship table hasn't been as a result of their solid rearguard showings - they have conceded 42 league goals this season - but Michal Helik has played his part at both ends of the pitch as the Tykes push for a playoff finish. Only teammate Mads Andersen (202) has made more clearances than Helik (185) in England's second tier this term, while no centre-back has scored more goals than the 25-year-old (5). The Polish defender may face stiff competition from Kamil Glik and Jan Bednarek for a place in the XI, but the Tykes man is another handy option for head coach Paulo Sousa at the heart of the defence. 

Pedro Porro - Spain 

The first of three Spain hopefuls to make the list, Pedro Porro has excelled in Sporting's title charge following his summer arrival from Real Valladolid. There's a good chance Luis Enrique will use the 21-year-old this month, too, given he is the only right-back called up to the senior squad, and he has as good a chance as any at consolidating a regular spot in the XI. Only Alejandro Grimaldo (40) has made more key passes than Porro (33) of defenders in Liga NOS this season, reinforcing his attacking output in Portugal this season, and this quality will be vital as Spain seek to get their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start. 

Pedri - Spain 

Pedri is one of seven players aged 21 and under than Ronald Koeman has used in LaLiga this season, and the 18-year-old has featured regularly under the Dutchman, making an appearance in every Spanish top-flight match in 2020/21, starting 20 of 28 games, since joining from Las Palmas. The midfielder has been unfazed at the demands of LaLiga, scoring two and assisting three, while only two teenagers have made more key passes than Pedri (34) in Europe's top five leagues this season to justify his inclusion in the senior squad. 

Robert Sanchez - Spain 

David De Gea is arguably Spain's number one, even after Unai Simon deputised for a handful of matches in the UEFA Nations League. Robert Sanchez, though, will fancy his chances on earning his first cap this month after usurping Mat Ryan as Brighton's number one. While goalkeepers tend to find it a bit tougher to earn international recognition, David De Gea's lack of game time suggests there is an opportunity to impress Luis Enrique. A save success rate of 72.4% is commendable and Sanchez will hope that weighs in his favour. 

Jamal Musiala - Germany 

The first of two Germany youngsters vying for a senior cap, England's loss is certainly Die Mannschaft's gain. Jamal Musiala hasn't featured prominently for Bayern Munich this season, but has turned heads when used by Hansi Flick. The youngster has scored three times for FC Hollywood in the Bundesliga this season at a rate of a goal every 163.3 minutes. 4.6 successful dribbles per 90 is better than any other player in Germany's top tier to make 15 or more appearances this season as Germany's next generation begin to showcase their talent. 

Florian Wirtz - Germany 

Bayer Leverkusen's underwhelming form cost Peter Bosz his job this week, but a constant has been Florian Wirtz's good form in the final third. The youngster has maximised Kai Havertz's exit, scoring four and providing four assists in the Bundesliga this season. Maximising a WhoScored strength of 'key passes', only Adil Aouchiche (46) has created more goalscoring chances than Wirtz (38) of teenagers in Europe's top five leagues this season. The 17-year-old, like Musiala, is hoping to make his senior debut this month and in what should be the first cap of many for the creative Bayer Leverkusen star.  

Nuno Mendes - Portugal 

The second Sporting CP player to make the grade in this list, Nuno Mendes is another playing a key role in the Portuguese side's title charge. After his breakthrough season in 2019/20, Mendes has made a starting spot his own under Ruben Amorim earning a fine WhoScored rating of 7.22 in Liga NOS in the process. Without needing a second invitation to get forward, Mendes has completed 29 dribbles in Liga NOS this season, a commendable return, and Fernando Santos will hope the 18-year-old can transfer his good domestic form to the international stage if required 

Joao Palhinha - Portugal 

Another Sporting CP star to feature, Joao Palhinha was linked with a Premier League move last year after impressing for Braga, but the Liga NOS leaders elected to hand him a more prominent role and they are benefitting from his good form in the middle of the park. The 25-year-old has made more tackles (78) than any other player in Portugal's top tier in 2020/21 and Fernando Santos will look to utilise his ball winning qualities to allow the attackers to do the business in the final third. 

Che Adams - Scotland 

Do Scotland have the forward they finally need at their disposal? Steve Clarke managed to convince Che Adams to switch allegiance to the Tartan Army last week and the Southampton striker was named the Scotland squad for this month's international break. Adams struggled to make his mark in the Premier League following his arrival from Birmingham, but with seven goals and four assists to his name in his second at St. Mary's, Clarke is hoping the 24-year-old frontman can carry the goalscoring burden for this goalshy Scotland side.