The season may be over for Leeds United, but for many of their player it certainly isn’t as they get ready to represent their country. The Whites will have 11 internationals jetting off to various parts of the world, with June set to provide yet another busy schedule.
For some players, it is an opportunity of a lifetime as they look to secure qualification for the World Cup later this year. For others, it is the start of the third edition of the Nations League, which will allow them to go up against some of the best international football has to offer.
So with that in mind, we have taken a look at what the next few weeks has in store for each of the internationals.
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Brenden Aaronson – USA
It has been a busy few weeks for Brenden Aaronson and it is not set to stop there as he prepares for four matches in 13 days. They kick off with two friendlies in quick succession against Morocco and Uruguay, where there is likely to be some rotation.
That is so they are fresh for the start of the Nations League as they host Grenada on Saturday 11 June, before making the trip to El Salvador four days later.
Kalvin Phillips – England
Kalvin Phillips is set to return to the England fold after missing the March international break through injury. Phillips’ schedule is even tighter than Aaronson’s, as he faces four Nations League matches in only 10 days – which means rotation is extremely likely.
The Three Lions first face trips to Hungary and Germany, before then returning to Wembley to host Italy and Hungary. The former is a repeat of last year’s EURO final and will be played behind-closed-doors.
Liam Cooper – Scotland
In one of the biggest international breaks of his life, Liam Cooper could be playing at the World Cup if all goes as planned. He kicks off with the semi-final match against Ukraine at Hampden Park, where if they win will face Wales four days later.
If they lose, Scotland will not have long to get over the disappointment of missing out on qualification as they face three Nations League games against Armenia (twice) and Republic of Ireland.
Dan James – Wales
The Leeds player who will be looking to stop Cooper from qualifying is Dan James, who has already qualified for the final after being Austria. But first for James is a meeting with Mateusz Klich’s Poland, as they prepare to do battle in the Nations League.
After the final, Wales then face three extremely tough games as they face Netherlands twice either side of a home match with Belgium.
Raphinha – Brazil
Amid all the speculation surrounding his future, Raphinha has jetted across the world to Brazil to represent his country again after missing out in March due to Covid-19. He has a slightly less packed schedule than the men from Europe, with just three matches scheduled.
The 25-year-old will face three friendly matches, with trips to South Korea and Japan followed by a clash with arch enemy Argentina.
Diego Llorente – Spain
Diego Llorente was a late inclusion into the squad after Aymeric Laporte’s injury and is now set for a busy few weeks after it had initially looked like he had the summer off. Spain are set to face four Nations League matches, the first of which comes against Portugal.
Luis Enrique’s side will then face Czech Republic home and away either side of a trip to Switzerland.
Mateusz Klich – Poland
As mentioned previously, Klich is set to do battle with Leeds teammate James in the first of their Nations League matches as Poland host Wales. They will then face three very difficult tests as they play Belgium home and away, with a trip to Netherland sandwiched in between.
Illan Meslier – France U21
Illan Meslier’s France U21 teammates have already secured qualification for next year’s U21 European Championships. They will have their campaign concluded by June 9 as they host Serbia, before making trips to Armenia and Ukraine.
Charlie Cresswell – England U21
Charlie Cresswell’s England U21 teammates still have plenty of work left to do to secure top spot In Group G as they face four matches in quick succession that will conclude their campaign. They sit three points behind Czech Republic with two games in hand, with fixtures against the group leaders, Albania, Kosovo and Slovenia to come.
Leo Hjelde/Kristoffer Klaesson – Norway U21
Leo Hjelde and Kristoffer Klaesson’s Norway U21 still have a decent chance of qualification as they sit one point behind second place Austria with two games in hand. They face group leaders Croatia next week before facing Finland and Azerbaijan to conclude their campaign.
