Player Focus: Five Potential International Debutants to Look Out For

The debate as to whether Harry Kane will earn a start for Roy Hodgson's men in Friday's qualifier with Lithuania is the main talking point in the English press right now, but the Spurs striker is all but certain to earn his first cap in one capacity or another.

Kane, however, is not the only new call-up hoping to make his international debut and with Euro 2016 places up for grabs and international friendlies to get out of the way, we're casting an eye on some of the more interesting inclusions in major national team squads this time around.

Nabil Fekir (France)

Lyon's Nabil Fekir put an end to a tug of war for his international services between France and Algeria by opting for les Bleus this month and was immediately brought into Didier Deschamps squad for the Euro 2016 host's friendlies with Brazil and Denmark. The Lyon man bolsters France's attacking ranks and will be desperate to prove he has what it takes having turned his back on the chance to play for the country of his heritage.

Few would suggest that Fekir isn't worthy of the call, emerging as arguably the greatest young talent in Ligue 1 this season to score 11 goals and register 7 assists to aid in OL's title charge. His threat has been obvious in that no player has been fouled more often in France's top-tier this season (3.4 times per game), with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.58 enough to rank 7th in Ligue 1. Where Fekir would fit in France's usual 4-3-3 formation could be an issue, but he may well be seen as the natural successor to Mathieu Valbuena.

Franco Vazquez (Italy)

While the team ethic should not be overlooked as far as Palermo's successful return to Italy's top-flight is concerned, there's little doubt as to who their star performers have been this season. Young Argentine forward Paulo Dybala has stolen the headlines - and interest of a number of top European clubs - but the role of Franco Vazquez, who has accepted a call-up to Antonio Conte's Italy squad despite also being born in Argentina, has arguably been even more influential.

The playmaker has earned the second highest rating in all of Serie A from WhoScored.com having registered more assists than any other player (9), 4 of which have teed up Dybala strikes. The 26-year old can be considered a late bloomer but adds real creativity in advanced areas to an Azzurri squad perhaps a little lacking in that department, completing more dribbles per game (3.4) than any other player in Serie A this season.

Juanmi (Spain)

A late call-up to Vicente del Bosque's Spain squad following the withdrawal of Diego Costa through injury, 21-year old Juanmi is the latest Spanish forward hoping to make in impact on La Roja’s set-up now that Torres and Villa have past their peak. The Malaga man has mainly played in behind a lone striker this season but has been asked to lead the line, most notably netting the match-winner as the Andalucian's conquered Camp Nou last month.

The youngster has scored 7 goals in total this season and comes into the international break in impressive form having netted in 4 of his last 7 appearances. A conversion rate of 26.9% is exceptional for a player of his age, with only three La Liga players to have scored more than five goals this season able to better that figure, and Juanmi has also been targeted by opponents, drawing 1.8 fouls per game.

Fabinho (Brazil)

The right-back spot Brazil's line-up has been a prestigious one in the Selecao's history, with Carlos Alberto and Cafu perhaps the most notable. There has, however, been a need for fresh blood in that department since a deterioration of form from Maicon, and Monaco's Fabinho will hope to impress Dunga if given the opportunity against either France or Chile.

The 21-year old has been a mainstay for Leonardo Jardim's side this season, as Monaco mount a late title charge after a disastrous start to the Ligue 1 campaign. An upturn in fortunes has seen the French outfit reach the Champions League quarter-finals, with Fabinho playing a key role out of position in a 3-1 win at the Emirates. Averages of 2.6 tackles, 2.5 interceptions and 1.2 dribbles per game have warranted international recognition, along with a WhoScored rating of 7.33.

Geronimo Rulli (Argentina)

David Moyes' first season at Real Sociedad would have to go down as a success having steered the club comfortably clear of La Liga's relegation zone, and the Scotsman's decision to change goalkeepers during the campaign will surely go down as one of his best thus far. 22-year old Geronimo Rulli first came into the starting XI back in December and has performed admirably enough to not only keep his place but also earn a call-up to the Argentina squad.

Rulli shone in only his second game for La Real to help Moyes' men get the better of Barcelona upon the league's recommence in January, earning a clean sheet along with the WhoScored man of the match award. Impressive performances in three successive league wins this month have allowed the youngster to compete for a number one spot that may well be up for grabs with Argentina, with Sergio Romero unfavoured at Sampdoria, and Rulli's impact in La Liga has been clear. Real Sociedad's win rate has more than doubled (46% from 20%) since he replaced Enaut Zubikarai between the posts, with the team unsurprisingly conceding fewer goals per game (1.23 from 1.4) in the process.

Which of these players are you hoping to see given a chance on international duty? Let us know in the comments below