Player Focus: 5 Players Worthy of First International Call

It seems to be getting harder and harder to get excited about an international break nowadays and this week's domestic football hiatus looks likely to be no different.

England have a double header with San Marino and Estonia, Spain with Slovakia and Luxembourg and Italy with Azerbaijan and Malta over a spell of 5 days bereft of any real 'glamour ties', though Germany's fixtures against Poland and Republic of Ireland stand out from what looks a one-sided selection of matches.

While interest in this week's action may not be great from the neutral there are a number of players that will be itching to impress, with managers of some of the aforementioned big names in European football taking the chance to introduce new faces. We've chosen five potential debutants from this international break to keep an eye on after impressive starts to the domestic season.

Karim Bellarabi - 7.83 WhoScored rating

It's fair to say that at 24, Karim Bellarabi would fall into the 'late bloomer' category. Eligible to play at national level for both Morocco and Ghana, it's only the winger's performances this season that have seen him become a real subject of interest from either. Unfortunately for the African rivals World Cup winners Germany have taken the decisive step to securing the former Mannschaft youth international’s allegiance after what Joachim Löw described as 'outstanding performances for his club' this season.

That club is Bayer Leverkusen, who were willing to let Bellarabi leave on loan to then newly promoted Braunschweig in 2013/14 and over the summer the wide man clearly convinced Roger Schmidt of his worth to the side. He's started every league game this season, scoring 3 goals to match his tally over 26 Bundesliga appearances last season, as well as registering 2 assists and completing the most dribbles in Germany's top tier thus far (30). Such impressive form sees only two players hold a higher average rating in the Bundesliga to date.

Graziano Pellè - 7.40 WhoScored rating

In line for an international debut at the grand old age of 29, Graziano Pellè has been named in an Azzurri squad for the first time, ahead of the likes of Balotelli and El Shaarawy, after a strong start to life in the Premier League. His summer switch to Southampton has undoubtedly been key to his call-up from Antonio Conte having proven that he can cut the mustard at a high level after making light work of the Eredivisie.

After struggling to make an impact in his homeland Pellè could have been forgiven for thinking that his time had been (or not in this case) and gone with regards to an international career. The new Italy boss has rewarded his fine form for Saints thus far though, with Pellè having earned a place in WhoScored's Premier League team of the season after 7 matches alongside fellow summer signing Diego Costa. With 4 goals and an assist to his name, only Sergio Aguero has had more shots in England's top-flight this season (23).

Juan Bernat - 7.29 WhoScored rating

In and around the Valencia first team squad as a teenager, Juan Bernat only really established himself as a first team regular after being moved to a full-back position last season having come through the club's youth ranks as a winger. His performances in 2013/14 were enough to convince apparent long-term admirer Pep Guardiola to take him to the Allianz Arena in the summer and subsequent displays for Bayern have earned him a first call-up to Vicente del Bosque's senior Spain squad.

Still only 21, Bernat's versatility has seen him have an immediate impact with the German champions, starting 5 league matches - coming off the bench in the other two - as well as both of Bayern's Champions League encounters thus far. The Spaniard has in turn proven himself at the top level, with a 7.53 rating in Europe, and his ability on the ball will appeal to the national team coaches, averaging an impressive 89.5% pass accuracy in the Bundesliga so far.

Daniele Rugani - 7.27 WhoScored rating

The Italy backline has been dominated by Juve defenders for some time now and that seems unlikely to change under former Old Lady boss Antonio Conte. The Turin-based club have taken Serie A by storm in recent seasons but have been preparing for the future in the process by acquiring some of the top young talent in the country. One of those talents is Daniele Rugani, who joined Juventus on a permanent basis from Empoli last summer and has been loaned back to his former employers in the two seasons thereafter.

Now, at just 20 years of age, the centre-back is with the senior international squad having starred for Empoli in their promotion campaign last season and continued to do so in the top-flight. The lanky youngster is a commanding presence in the air at either end, winning an outstanding 83% of the aerial duels he has contested this season, but also extremely assured with the ball at his feet, with a remarkable 93.4% pass accuracy bettered only by Kostas Manolas in Serie A.

Nathaniel Clyne - 7.15 WhoScored rating

There have been calls for Nathaniel Clyne to get an England call-up for some time now and in the absence of the injured Glen Jonson and Kyle Walker the Saints right-back has a great chance to impress in what can be considered favourable qualifiers in which to do so. Now the undoubted first-choice at Southampton after a tug of war for a spot in defence with Calum Chambers prior to the youngster’s move to Arsenal, Clyne is improving the defensive side of his game under new manager Ronald Koeman.

Previously thought of as the more attacking option of Saints' right-back pairing, the 23-year-old has been a little less forward-thinking this season despite netting twice in all competitions - including a wonder strike against Arsenal in the cup. Clyne's pace means that he will always offer a threat from wide but in coupling that athleticism with a superb tally of 30 tackles this season - the second most in the Premier League - Roy Hodgson has been suitably impressed, and rightly so.

Which newcomers are you most look forward to watching over the international break? Let us know in the comments below