With players travelling all over the globe during the international break, we’ve broken down the activity of all the key players over the past 10 days. With the Premier League recommencing on Saturday, players who have featured on the other side of the world, particularly on either Tuesday or the early hours of Wednesday morning, could well arrive back on our shores late and slightly fatigued, and is certainly something worth taking into consideration as we plan for the weekend action.
ARSENAL
Arsene Wenger has confirmed that the Gunners are still waiting for Alexis Sanchez, David Ospina and Joel Campbell to return from internationals but revealed all three are injury-free. With a midweek Champions League clash against Bayern to follow on Tuesday, Olivier Giroud staked a claim to start this weekend with a brace for France, though Theo Walcott played no part in England’s second international and will be fully rested for the trip to Watford. Hector Bellerin could be another rotation concern ahead of the Bayern meeting – the young Spaniard has played seven consecutive league outings but was active over the break whilst Mathieu Debuchy was omitted from the French squad.
Petr Cech – Czech Republic (10/10 (h) v Turkey in Prague and 13/10 (a) v Holland in Amsterdam) – Only played the match in Holland.
David Ospina – Colombia (08/10 (h) v Peru in Barranquilla and 14/10 (a) v Uruguay in Montevideo) – Played all 180 minutes.
Hector Bellerin – Spain U21s (07/10 (a) v Georgia in Tblisi and 13/10 (h) v Sweden in Tenerife) – Was an unused substitute against Georgia, but played the full 90 minutes against Sweden.
Calum Chambers – England U21s (13/10 (h) v Kazakhstan in Coventry) – 90 minutes.
Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott – England (09/10 (h) v Estonia in London and 12/10 (a) v Lithuania in Vilnius) – Gibbs played all 90 minutes in Lithuania. Oxlade-Chamberlain came off the bench at Wembley, playing 17 minutes, before playing the full 90 minutes in the second match, grabbing a goal in the 3-0 win. Walcott only played against Estonia, scoring the opening goal in his 83 minutes of pitch time.
Santi Cazorla – Spain (09/10 (h) v Luxembourg in Logroño and 12/10 (a) v Ukraine in Kiev) – Scored twice in the 4-0 win against Luxembourg, but was an unused substitute against Ukraine – 90 minutes.
Alexis Sanchez – Chile (09/10 (h) v Brazil and 14/10 (a) v Peru in Lima) – Played the full 90 minutes against Brazil, and scored the second goal in a 2-0 win. Continued his great form with a brace against Peru, and also provided an assist as he completed the full 90 minutes.
Mesut Ozil – Germany (08/10 (a) v Republic of Ireland in Dublin and 11/10 (h) v Georgia in Leipzig) – Played all 180 minutes, and grabbed an assist in the 2-1 win against Georgia.
Aaron Ramsey – Wales (10/10 (a) v Bosnia-Herzegovina in Zenica and 13/10 (h) v Andorra in Cardiff) – Played all 180 minutes, and grabbed a goal and an assist in the 2-0 win against Andorra.
Joel Campbell – Costa Rica (09/10 (h) v South Africa in Liberia and 13/10 (a) v United States in New Jersey) – Played all 180 minutes, and scored the only goal in the 1-0 win against the United States.
Olivier Giroud – France (08/10 (h) v Armenia in Nice and 11/10 (a) v Denmark in Copenhagen) – Played nine minutes as a substitute against Armenia, before scoring both goals in the 2-1 win in Denmark, playing 73 minutes.
ASTON VILLA
Brad Guzan, Carlos Sanchez and Jordan Ayew face long-haul flights back home after their international exertions. Of that trio, only Guzan started the last league encounter – Sanchez was dropped for Jordan Veretout whilst Ayew has failed to start a league match since Gameweek 2 under Tim Sherwood and looks poised for another bench role.
Brad Guzan – USA (11/10 (h) v Mexico in Los Angeles and 13/10 (h) v Costa Rica in New Jersey) – Played 120 minutes against Mexico.
Alan Hutton – Scotland (08/10 (h) v Poland in Glasgow and 11/10 (a) v Gibraltar in São João da Venda) – Played all 180 minutes, and provided an assist in the 6-0 win in Gibraltar.
Jordan Amavi – France U21s (10/10 (a) v Scotland in Aberdeen and 13/10 (h) v Ukraine in Strasbourg) – 180 minutes.
Carlos Sanchez – Colombia (08/10 (h) v Peru in Barranquilla and 14/10 (a) v Uruguay in Montevideo) – Played all 180 minutes.
Jordan Ayew – Ghana (14/10 (n) v Canada in Washington) – Played 82 minutes in the 1-1 draw.
BOURNEMOUTH
Eddie Howe has no worries here as the Cherries head to the Etihad. Ritchie’s strike for Scotland suggests the playmaker – who has a goal and assist in the last three league matches – is starting to find his form after a slow start to life in the top-flight.
Adam Federici – Australia (08/10 (a) v Jordan in Amman) – 90 minutes.
Matt Ritchie – Scotland (08/10 (h) v Poland in Glasgow and 11/10 (a) v Gibraltar in São João da Venda) – Started both matches, and scored from long-range against Poland. Played 154 minutes in total.
CHELSEA
Baba Rahman will be hoping for his first league start since joining the Blues in light of Branislav Ivanovic’s hamstring injury. The Ghana international missed out on duty over the break following a visa issue.
Back-to-back goals from Eden Hazard could kick start a revival, whilst Willian maintained his rich vein of form – that’s five goals in as many matches for club and country after his double for Brazil. He’ll need to be monitored, though, along with Oscar and Radamel Falcao, due to long-haul flights back from South America. Elsewhere, Nemanja Matic shrugged off a knock sustained in Serbia’s clash with Albania but he is by no means a guaranteed starter this weekend, having been dropped against Southampton. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is rapidly emerging as a factor in Matic’s role and his goal for England U21’s offered a timely reminder of his blossoming talents. Diego Costa was omitted from the Spain squad and has undergone a tailored fitness programme in London after admitting he returned for pre-season training overweight.
Asmir Begovic – Bosnia-Herzegovina (10/10 (h) v Wales in Zenica and 13/10 (a) v Cyprus in Nicosia) – Played all 180 minutes.
Branislav Ivanovic and Nemanja Matic – Serbia (08/10 (a) v Albania in Elbasan and 11/10 (h) v Portugal in Belgrade) – Ivanovic was forced off after 65 minutes against Albania with a hamstring injury, and reports suggest he could be out for around three weeks. Matic played 73 minutes in the first match, but was sent off after 81 minutes against Portugal.
Cesar Azpilicueta, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro – Spain (09/10 (h) v Luxembourg in Logroño and 12/10 (a) v Ukraine in Kiev) – Azpilicueta only featured against Ukraine, playing the full match. Fabregas started both matches, playing 90 minutes against Luxembourg and 64 minutes against Ukraine. He registered an assist in the first match, but missed from the penalty spot in Kiev. Pedro was limited to just 77 minutes against Luxembourg.
Gary Cahill – England (09/10 (h) v Estonia in London and 12/10 (a) v Lithuania in Vilnius) – Limited to just 90 minutes against Estonia.
Kurt Zouma – France (08/10 (h) v Armenia in Nice and 11/10 (a) v Denmark in Copenhagen) – Only featured as a substitute against Denmark, playing 45 minutes.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – England U21s (13/10 (h) v Kazakhstan in Coventry) – Played 83 minutes, and got on the scoresheet in the 3-0 victory.
Oscar and Willian – Brazil (09/10 (a) v Chile in Santiago and 14/10 (h) v Venezuela in Fortaleza) – Both played the full 90 minutes in the 2-0 defeat to Chile. Willian also played the full 90 minutes in the 3-1 win against Venezuela, and also scored twice. Oscar played 65 minutes in the comfortable victory.
Eden Hazard – Belgium (10/10 (a) v Andorra in Andorra la Vella and 13/10 (h) v Israel in Brussels) – Played 79 minutes in Andorra, and managed to convert one of his two penalties. Played the full match against Israel, and got on the scoresheet once again in a 3-1 win.
Radamel Falcao – Colombia (08/10 (h) v Peru in Barranquilla and 14/10 (a) v Uruguay in Montevideo) – Came off the bench against Peru, playing 14 minutes. Was again a substitute against Uruguay, coming on for 18 minutes.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Yohan Cabaye’s strike for France continued his fine form, with the playmaker racking up two goals and an assist in two matches prior to the internationals. Both Yannick Bolasie’s matches for DR Congo took place in Belgium, ensuring there are no major concerns over fatigue. Pape Souare missed Senegal’s clash with Algeria but has since been passed fit for action this weekend.
Wayne Hennessey and Joe Ledley – Wales (10/10 (a) v Bosnia-Herzegovina in Zenica and 13/10 (h) v Andorra in Cardiff) – Hennessey played all 180 minutes. Ledley only played 75 minutes in the first match.
Yohan Cabaye – France (08/10 (h) v Armenia in Nice and 11/10 (a) v Denmark in Copenhagen) – Started against Armenia, playing 77 minutes, and scored in the 4-0 win. Came off the bench to play two minutes in Denmark.
James McArthur – Scotland (08/10 (h) v Poland in Glasgow and 11/10 (a) v Gibraltar in São João da Venda) – Came off the bench to play 16 minutes against Poland, but wasn’t involved in the second match.
Yannick Bolasie – DR Congo (08/10 (a) v Nigeria in Vise and 12/10 (a) v Gabon in Mons) – Bolasie featured in the 2-0 win over Nigeria, playing 89 minutes, and played his part in a 2-1 win against Gabon. The winger grabbed an assist in both matches.
EVERTON
Roberto Martinez was handed a boost after Seamus Coleman recovered from injury to feature in the Republic of Ireland’s clash against Poland on Sunday. The Toffees boss faces a wait on Tim Howard, Ramiro Funes Mori and Bryan Oviedo, who all face late flights back, though John Stones is expected to be passed fit in time for the weekend having been omitted from duty with England. Barkley’s goal and assist for the Three Lions underlined his recent run of form ahead of the Goodison clash with Louis van Gaal’s United.
Tim Howard – USA (11/10 (h) v Mexico in Los Angeles and 13/10 (h) v Costa Rica in New Jersey) – Didn’t feature against Mexico, but played the full match against Costa Rica.
Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady – Republic of Ireland (08/10 (h) v Germany in Dublin and 11/10 (a) v Poland in Warsaw) – Coleman played 90 minutes in Poland, while McCarthy played all 180 minutes. McGeady only featured against Poland, playing 32 minutes as a substitute.
Phil Jagielka and Ross Barkley – England (09/10 (h) v Estonia in London and 12/10 (a) v Lithuania in Vilnius) – Jagielka only played the match against Lithuania. Barkley started both matches, playing 88 minutes at Wembley, where he registered an assist, while the midfielder logged 73 minutes against Lithuania, and scored the opening goal in the 3-0 victory.
Ramiro Funes Mori – Argentina (09/10 (h) v Ecuador in Buenos Aires and 14/10 (a) v Paraguay in Asunción) – Played 90 minutes in the second match against Paraguay.
Brian Oviedo – Costa Rica (09/10 (h) v South Africa in Liberia and 13/10 (a) v United States in New Jersey) – Played the full 90 minutes against South Africa, and 54 minutes against the United States.
Gerard Deulofeu – Spain U21s – 07/10 (a) v Georgia in Tblisi and 13/10 (h) v Sweden in Tenerife) – Played 85 minutes against Georgia, and 78 minutes against Sweden.
Romelu Lukaku – Belgium (10/10 (a) v Andorra in Andorra la Vella and 13/10 (h) v Israel in Brussels) – Only played 65 minutes against Israel.
Steven Naismith – Scotland (08/10 (h) v Poland in Glasgow and 11/10 (a) v Gibraltar in São João da Venda) – Played 69 minutes against Poland, and came off the bench against Gibraltar, scoring one and setting up another in just 14 minutes.
LEICESTER
Riyad Mahrez, Shinji Okazaki and Jeffrey Schlupp all clocked up air miles over the break, with Mahrez the only one of the trio to play from start to finish in both his nation’s matches. Claudio Ranieri will be keen to monitor his fatigue levels, then, bearing in mind he benched the Algerian for the Gameweek 8 win at Norwich.
Kasper Schmeichel – Denmark (08/10 (a) v Portugal in Braga and 11/10 (h) v France in Copenhagen) – Played all 180 minutes.
Christian Fuchs – Austria (09/10 (a) v Montenegro in Podgorica and 12/10 (h) v Liechtenstein in Vienna) – Played all 180 minutes, and registered an assist in Montenegro.
Jeffrey Schlupp – Ghana (14/10 (n) v Canada in Washington) – 90 minutes.
Gokhan Inler – Switzerland (09/10 (h) v San Marino in St Gallen and 12/10 (a) v Estonia in Tallinn) – Played all 180 minutes, and netted from the penalty spot against San Marino.
Riyad Mahrez – Algeria (09/10 (h) v Guinea in Algiers and 13/10 (h) v Senegal in Algiers) – Played the full 90 minutes against Guinea, and provided an assist in the 2-1 defeat. Also featured from start to finish against Senegal.
Jamie Vardy – England (09/10 (h) v Estonia in London and 12/10 (a) v Lithuania in Vilnius) – Appeared as a substitute against Estonia, playing seven minutes, and registered an assist for England’s second goal. Played the full 90 minutes in Lithuania.
Andrej Kramaric – Croatia (10/10 (h) v Bulgaria in Zagreb and 13/10 (a) v Malta in Ta’Qali) – Played just four minutes as a substitute against Bulgaria.
Shinji Okazaki – Japan (08/10 (a) v Syria in Muscat and 13/10 (a) v Iran in Tehran) – Played 85 minutes against Syria, and scored in a 3-0 win, but only played 25 minutes as a substitute in Iran.
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool’s main men all remained in Europe for the recent matches, with Joe Gomez the only concern after sustaining an ankle injury on duty for the England U21s. Danny Ings shrugged off a foot problem sustained during the Merseyside derby to feature for England. Philippe Coutinho, meanwhile, has returned to training after stepping up his recovery from the knock that forced him to withdraw from the Brazil squad, whilst Dejan Lovren is back in training to offer new boss Jurgen Klopp an alternative at the back.
Simon Mignolet and Divock Origi – Belgium (10/10 (a) v Andorra in Andorra la Vella and 13/10 (h) v Israel in Brussels) – Mignolet played all 180 minutes. Origi totaled just 25 minutes, coming off the bench against Israel.
Mamadou Sakho – France (08/10 (h) v Armenia in Nice and 11/10 (a) v Denmark in Copenhagen) – Played 90 minutes against Armenia.
Nathaniel Clyne, James Milner, Adam Lallana and Danny Ings – England (09/10 (h) v Estonia in London and 12/10 (a) v Lithuania in Vilnius) – Clyne and Milner only played the full match against Estonia. Lallana started both matches, logging 73 minutes against Estonia, and 67 minutes against Lithuania. Ings made his England debut off the bench against Lithuania, playing 31 minutes.
Martin Skrtel – Slovakia (09/10 (h) v Belarus in Zilina and 12/10 (a) v Luxembourg in Lëtzebuerg) – Played all 180 minutes.
Joe Gomez and Jordon Ibe – England U21s (13/10 (h) v Kazakhstan in Coventry) – Gomez was forced off after 80 minutes with a slight ankle problem, and has to be a slight doubt for the Saturday lunchtime kick-off at White Hart Lane. Ibe played 65 minutes in the 3-0 win.
Joe Allen – Wales (10/10 (a) v Bosnia-Herzegovina in Zenica and 13/10 (h) v Andorra in Cardiff) – Only played 85 minutes in the 2-0 defeat in Bosnia.
MAN CITY
Manuel Pellegrini is ruing the recent internationals after Sergio Aguero and David Silva suffered hamstring and ankle injuries respectively. The Argentine reckons he is set to miss City’s next seven matches, whilst Silva is a real doubt for the weekend visit of Bournemouth – with a midweek Champions League clash against Sevilla to follow, the playmaker may well not be risked on Saturday, even if available. Vincent Kompany returned to action for Belgium after recovering from a calg complain, though Aleksandar Kolarov requires monitoring after limping off for Serbia with a hamstring problem – check out Facer’s excellent Hot Topic for his view on his likely condition.
On a positive note, Kevin De Bruyne’s relentless run of form affords Pellegrini a degree comfort, although he’ll also need to monitor Nicolas Otamendi, Martin Demichelis and Pablo Zabaleta, who all face long-haul flights back from Paraguay. Demichelis is less of a concern, given that he failed to feature for Argentina over the two matches.
Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling – England (09/10 (h) v Estonia in London and 12/10 (a) v Lithuania in Vilnius) – Hart only played against Estonia, while Sterling also only played in the first match, and scored in the 2-0 win.
Vincent Kompany and Kevin de Bruyne – Belgium (10/10 (a) v Andorra in Andorra la Vella and 13/10 (h) v Israel in Brussels) – Kompany started against Israel, and played 58 minutes after recovering from his calf injury. De Bruyne played all 180 minutes, and registered two goals and an assist across the two matches.
Eliaquim Mangala and Bacary Sagna – France (08/10 (h) v Armenia in Nice and 11/10 (a) v Denmark in Copenhagen) – Mangala only played the full match in Denmark, while Sagna was limited to 90 minutes against Armenia.
Nicolas Otamendi, Martin Demichelis, Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero – Argentina (09/10 (h) v Ecuador in Buenos Aires and 14/10 (a) v Paraguay in Asunción) – Otamendi played all 180 minutes. Zabaleta played the full match in Paraguay, but Demechelis was an unused substitute in both matches. Aguero picked up a hamstring injury after just 24 minutes against Ecuador, and the latest reports suggest he could be out for around a month.
Aleksandar Kolarov – Serbia (08/10 (a) v Albania in Elbasan and 11/10 (h) v Portugal in Belgrade) – Played all 90 minutes against Albania, and netted in a 2-0 win. But had to be replaced after 77 minutes against Portugal because of a hamstring injury, and while it didn’t look particularly serious, he is certainly a doubt for the weekend.
David Silva – Spain (09/10 (h) v Luxembourg in Logroño and 12/10 (a) v Ukraine in Kiev) – Picked up an ankle injury after just 10 minutes against Luxembourg, and is a serious doubt for the home clash against Bournemouth on Saturday.
MAN UTD
Both Sergio Romero and Antonio Valencia face late flights back home after featuring for Argentina and Ecuador respectively. Ander Herrera and Marcos Rojo stepped up their injury recoveries by returning to training over the break, though Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger remain doubts after missing the recent internationals. Anthony Martial bagged an assist in both appearances for France, continuing his impressive start to the campaign.
David de Gea and Juan Mata – Spain (09/10 (h) v Luxembourg in Logroño and 12/10 (a) v Ukraine in Kiev) – De Gea only played the match against Ukraine, keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 victory. Mata came on as a substitute in both matches, playing 80 minutes against Luxembourg, and minutes against Ukraine.
Sergio Romero – Argentina (09/10 (h) v Ecuador in Buenos Aires and 14/10 (a) v Paraguay in Asunción) – 180 minutes.
Chris Smalling and Phil Jones – England (09/10 (h) v Estonia in London and 12/10 (a) v Lithuania in Vilnius) – Smalling played the full match against Estonia, while Jones played 90 minutes against Lithuania.
Paddy McNair – Northern Ireland (08/10 (h) v Greece in Belfast and 11/10 (a) v Finland in Helsinki) – Played 85 minutes against Greece, before being forced off after 51 minutes in Finland because of an abdominal injury, and appears likely to be ruled out of the trip to Everton on Saturday.
Matteo Darmian – Italy (10/10 (a) v Azerbaijan in Baku and 13/10 (h) v Norway in Rome) – Played the full match against Azerbaijan, and also got on the scoresheet in the 3-1 win. Then completed another 90 minutes against Norway.
Daley Blind and Memphis Depay – Holland (10/10 (a) v Kazakhstan in Astana and 13/10 (h) v Czech Republic in Amsterdam) – Both played all 180 minutes.
Antonio Valencia – Ecuador (09/10 (a) v Argentina in Buenos Aires and 13/10 (h) v Bolivia in Quito) – Played the full 90 minutes against Argentina, and provided an assist in the 2-0 win. Then completed the full 90 minutes against Bolivia.
Marouane Fellaini – Belgium (10/10 (a) v Andorra in Andorra la Vella and 13/10 (h) v Israel in Brussels) – Only played 66 minutes against Israel.
Morgan Schneiderlin and Anthony Martial – France (08/10 (h) v Armenia in Nice and 11/10 (a) v Denmark in Copenhagen) – Both played 27 minutes as substitutes against Armenia, with Martial grabbing an assist in the 4-0 victory. Both then started in Denmark, with Schneiderlin playing the full 90 minutes, while Martial was substituted after 88 minutes. He grabbed his second assist of the international break against the Danes.
Part two of our assessment, which contains the other ten Premier League teams, will be published tomorrow.
