REVEALED: Ten top youngsters in line to make international debuts

The opportunity to watch some new faces in action is often one of the most exciting prospects of an international break, and this one is no different, with a number of leading nations handing call-ups to hot prospects. Here we look at ten players under the age of 23 that could make their senior international debuts in the coming days.

Georgi Dzhikiya (DC / 22 / Russia)

After an utterly abysmal showing at Euro 2016 it was clear that Russia needed to make drastic changes. The centre-back pairing of Vasili Berezutski and and Sergei Ignashevich, at 34 and 37 respectively, have both missed out on the squad to face Qatar and Romania. Georgi Dzhikiya is the new face in an inexperienced defence having earned the highest rating of any Amkar player in this season’s Russian Premier League (7.38). Starting all but one game at the heart of the defence, the youngster has been key to his side boasting an unbeatable defensive record this season, with just 8 goals conceded.

Davinson Sanchez (DC / 20 / Colombia)

A mainstay in the Ajax defence at the age of just 20, Sanchez has received another call-up from Jose Pekerman but is yet to gain a first cap for Colombia. With a big double header with Chile and Argentina to come, the centre-back will hope to come into contention in the absence of Cristian Zapata, though Yerry Mina has already made a big impression on the national side. The youngster’s passing stats, completing 89.6% of 64.6 passes per game, are to be applauded, whilst reading the game well to average 2.8 interceptions and 7.2 clearances per game.

Thomas Lemar (Winger / 20 / France)

As France prepare to face Sweden on Friday, there are three players in line for an international debut, with Monaco’s Thomas Lemar one of those to earn a first call-up. The winger will turn 21 the day after the upcoming qualifier so will hope to get an international cap as an early birthday present. He’s been in fine form of late, scoring 5 goals in the league and Europe combined including a clinical strike at Wembley against Spurs, while only Neymar has completed more dribbles in this season’s Champions League (17).

Jordan Pickford (GK / 22 / England)

Having only been called up as a replacement to the injured Fraser Forster it would be a surprise to see Pickford make a senior debut in this international break but few could argue that he deserves one. The Sunderland keeper has been in inspired form at times this season, and certainly needed to be as the Black Cats earned their first win of the season at Bournemouth last time out. Only fellow England man Tom Heaton has made more saves in the Premier League, despite Pickford (42) missing two games.

Benjamin Henrichs (DR / 19 / Germany)

After a sensational start to the Bundesliga season and taking to the Champions League with considerable ease to boot, teenager Henrichs has established himself as a first choice full-back at Bayer Leverkusen. Indeed, huge averages of 5.8 tackles and 4.5 interceptions per game in Europe’s premier club competition rank among the top players and are enough to earn the youngster a place in the Champions League team of the season so far. Given Germany’s lack of depth in the full-bak positions and Henrichs’ ability to play on either side he could be a regular fixture for some time.

Kasper Dolberg (FW / 19 / Denmark)

In the absence of the much maligned Nicklas Bendtner there is strong competition for places up front in Age Hareide’s Denmark side for the meetings with Kazakhstan and Czech Republic. Nicolai Jorgensen is the most experienced and has enjoyed a strong start to the season with Feyenoord, while there is a first call-up for teenager Kasper Dolberg who has also impressed in the Eredivisie with Ajax. Stepping up to the unenviable task of replacing Arkadiusz Milik, the 19-year old has scored 7 goals in 15 appearances in the league and Europa League combined, as well as registering 2 assists.

Uche (DMC / 20 / Nigeria)

Versatile Granada man Uche has played at both centre-back and centre midfield for the La Liga outfit this season and impressed enough to earn a call-up to a very young Nigeria side for their qualifier with Algeria. While his side are without a win at the foot of the table in Spain, Uche has been one of their steadier performers, with a rating of 6.74 second of those to make at least five appearances. He’s averaging the most passes per game for Granada this season (49.6) and has made a highly commendable 3.1 interceptions per game.

Cengiz Under (AML / 19 / Turkey)

While Emre Mor is very much the youngster that Turkish fans are pinning their hopes for the future on, there is another teenage winger making a real impact right now. 19-year old Cengiz Under is a mainstay for surprise Super Lig leaders Istanbul Basaksehir and has secured a strong rating of 7.20 in his ten starts thus far. With two goals to his name, it’s the youngster’s delivery from wide areas that has been a real asset, averaging 1.2 accurate crosses per game for a tally of 4 assists - the second best in the league.

Danilo Cataldi (CM / 22 / Italy)

While Italy surprised many to put in a very strong showing at Euro 2016 despite what looked an underwhelming side on paper there was still a sense that changes were needed to revitalise an ageing side, as James Horncastle discussed this week. Giampiero Ventura has answered that call, with as many as seven players in line for a debut against Liechtenstein or Germany. Midfielder Cataldi is one of those having played his part in a strong start to the season for Lazio, with a goal and assist in 7 appearances. Averages of one key pass every 39 minutes and a tackle every 47 have been a real asset to Simone Inzaghi.

Viktor Tsyhankov (Winger / 18 / Ukraine)

The youngest of the lot here, Dynamo Kyiv teenager Tsyhankov is among a number of youngsters tasked with transforming the Ukraine national side after a Euro 2016 campaign that heralded 0 points. With wingers Yarmolenko and Konoplyanka carrying so much of the attacking burden, the 18-year old faces an unenviable task to dethrone either of those two but has made his mark in this season’s Champions League already with a goal and an assist in just 181 minutes of action, with a further 2 goals in seven Premier Liga outings.