5 players set for international debuts ahead of Euro 2020 Qualifiers 

Chelsea's Fikayo Tomori (L) is set to don the famous England white
Chelsea's Fikayo Tomori (L) is set to don the famous England white

With the club fixtures having taken a backseat, we're now quickly heading into the international friendlies and more prominently, the Euro 2020 qualifiers.

10 groups, 60 teams - all with their sights on Europe's elite country-level tournament scheduled next year. England, Spain, Belgium and Italy have all but secured a ticket to the competition owing to their spotless record.

However, the battle for second place in Group J - between Finland and Armenia, Group G - Slovenia and Austria, Group F - Sweden and Romania is hotting up. Meanwhile, groups such as H, where France and Turkey are level on top with Iceland three points behind, are seemingly guaranteeing us with a potential nail-biter as part of the climax.

The squads have been announced, and as always, there's been rotation, recycling and reappointment of fresh talent and a few experiments among other interchanges between team members.

On that note, we look at five conspicuous talents who could be making their debut for their respective national sides ahead of the qualifiers.


#1 Sergio Reguilon (Spain)

Sergio Reguilon has impressed in his short stint at Sevilla so far
Sergio Reguilon has impressed in his short stint at Sevilla so far

Latest injury setbacks and dip in form of a few first-team stars have seen as many as eight alterations been made to the Spanish national squad. Veteran pass master Santi Cazorla has been recalled to the setup, alongside Raul Albiol.

The likes of Jordi Alba and Paco Alcacer have been forced out due to fitness concerns, paving way for Juan Bernat and Gerard Moreno respectively. Alongside the latter is Pau Torres, who thereby completes a quartet of Villareal players called up.

However, one player widely tipped for a maiden appearance is Real Madrid loanee Sergio Reguilon, who has slotted into the Sevilla side seamlessly whenever called upon. He's made a solitary appearance for the U-21 side, but could breakthrough at least for a few minutes against Norway and Sweden.

He's expressive, quick, energetic and a tireless candidate for the left-back spot. Last season, the youngster featured for Los Blancos 22 times in all competitions.

#2 James Maddison (England)

Liverpool FC v Leicester City - Premier League
Liverpool FC v Leicester City - Premier League

Four games gone, and you'd wonder why James Maddison wasn't muscled into the England playing XI last month. Well, he's now elevated his performances at the King Power to such a degree that Gareth Southgate was forced to leave out stars from Russia 2018 to accommodate the adroit number 10.

He was included last month, but did not feature at all. This time though, in a relatively cooler fixture against bottom-placed Bulgaria after the Czech Republic game, Southgate could be tempted to throwing Maddison off the bench, if not hand him a full debut.

What does he bring to the table? Pretty much everything. The former Norwich City midfielder has taken the Premier League by storm this season, and been a hallmark behind Leicester City's solid start to the new campaign.

He's got an immaculate skill set, a burgeoning ability to pick a pass and more so, he does it at a consistent rate. Maddison works hard off the ball, dictates his fellow forwards during the press and has a stellar eye for goal.

#3 Robin Koch (Germany)

SC Freiburg's Robin Koch
SC Freiburg's Robin Koch

SC Freiburg have been on a bit of a roll in the Bundesliga thus far. Unbeaten in their previous four matches, they're level on points with the champions Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig, and just two behind current leaders Borussia Monchengladbach.

A number of players have supplied the goods and racked up cohesive, all-round and consistent performances for the Breisgau-Brasilianer.

That promising start runs collaterally with Germany's injury problems. Ahead of his side's clash against 2014 FIFA World Cup runners-up Argentina, Joachim Low is extremely short-staffed, with players such as Timo Werner, Marco Reus, Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gundogan set to remain sidelined.

As a result, he's drafted young Robin Koch into the side. At just 23 years of age, the defender has completed 50 league appearances for his club. He's been in fine form this season at the heart of a three-man backline.

He has accomplished five appearances for the U-21 side, and is in line to make his debut for the national squad, although there's competition for spots with Hertha Berlin defender Niklas Stark.

#4 Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Italy)

Italy Training Session And Press Conference
Italy Training Session And Press Conference

Roberto Mancini's side are absolutely flying at the moment. 18 goals scored, just three conceded in six games with a 100% record; Italy are looking the part in the qualifiers. They've brushed aside every team that has come their way, and are already six points ahead of second-placed Finland.

To their credit, the Azures are slated to take on two teams who have together boasted one victory. Liechtenstein are winless, while Greece have just one win.

The former Manchester City boss has more or less stuck to the same nucleus as far as his team selection is concerned, with Napoli's Giovanni Di Lorenzo the only new face. The full-back has made an impression at Naples since making the switch from Empoli.

He played for the junior squads about five-six years back but never broke into the first team. However, he did train at the camp held in April with the senior squad.

#5 Fikayo Tomori (England)

Fikayo Tomori has benefited from Chelsea's transfer ban and youth recruitment
Fikayo Tomori has benefited from Chelsea's transfer ban and youth recruitment

Derby County player of the season last term - Fikayo Tomori was restored in the Chelsea squad due to the transfer ban and injury to German centre-half Antonio Rudiger. A big heart in training was awarded with a start against newcomers Sheffield United, by Frank Lampard.

And since then, young Tomori hasn't looked back. He's looked extremely comfortable with the ball, shown expressive pace in tracking back and kept some of the best forwards in the division, including Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, at bay.

Describing his moment after receiving the call-up, the 21-year-old remarked:

"Growing up and England and seeing the players playing at Wembley, it was such a good feeling. It’s indescribable. I tried to take it in as much as possible, but it was a very proud moment."

Tomori has been included in the squad alongside three other club teammates - Ross Barkley, Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham. Meanwhile, Blues youngsters Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James, who recently completed their comebacks from injury, have been asked to join up with the U-21 side.

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