The international break is in full swing now, and all the players going to join their national teams have arrived at camps around the world.
There’s a bunch in Europe, plus our traditional pair of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo jetting off to Suoth America. Nicolas Jackson is with Senegal, who have a double header against Malawi in Africa Cup of Nations qualification. That’s surely a great chance for him to bag a bunch of goals if he plays.
Overall, we just hope to get as many players back fit and fresh as possible. For those in the B team it’s a great chance to pick up some extra minutes to keep match ready. For those in the A team, we’re just left playing nobody plays a full 180 minutes.
Midfield and defence have chance to get to work
For those not called up to the national team, it’s time for a strange fortnight at Cobham. After a Monday off, training has restarted with Enzo Maresca running the rule over a rag tag bunch. There’s a real mix of semi-outcasts, recovering injured players, and first team players who just haven’t got the callup from their country.
There’s a chance for some good defensive work – Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo and Ben Chilwell are all there and can make up a back 4.
There’s a number of midfielders around too – Cesare Casadei, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Carney Chukwuemeka are all competing for B team minutes, and will be looking to impress Maresca in these sessions.
Third choice goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli is there too, so they’ve all got someone to shoot at – although Jadon Sancho is just about the only senior attacker there.
Reece James and Romeo Lavia are both out there training after injury too. Both should be looking good for selection after this break.
