West Ham United have numerous players jetting off for various different international fixtures this month.
David Moyes has a fantastic squad at his disposal at West Ham, and the fact that we have eight players heading off for their respective international fixtures is evidence of that.
The international break is frowned upon by most fans, especially at this stage of the season when there is so much to play for.
During the last international break in November, West Ham paid the price with Michail Antonio suffering a serious injury.
Hopefully we’re a bit more lucky this time around, and all of our players return to the club fully fit. The last thing Moyes needs right now is an injury crisis heading into the final two months of the campaign.
Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Edson Alvarez, Tomas Soucek, Alphonse Areola, Nayef Aguerd and Callum Marshall are all currently away with their respective countries, as confirmed by WHUFC.com. But how many matches do they face and whereabouts in the world?
Eight West Ham players involved in 16 international fixtures
It is sure to be a busy week or so for the eight Hammers who are currently away with their respective nations.
It’s a real sign of how far we’ve come as a club that so many of our current squad are away on international duty. That’s not even including international regulars like Michail Antonio, Emerson Palmieri, Vladimir Coufal and Mohammed Kudus and those unfortunate to miss out like James Ward-Prowse and Kalvin Phillips.
But where and when are they due to take to the field of play between now and next Wednesday?
Jarrod Bowen England schedule
The 27-year-old has been included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium – both at Wembley.
The two upcoming games will be a big chance for Jarrod to showcase his ability and to send a big message of intent to Southgate.
- Saturday 23 March vs Brazil [Friendly] @Wembley
- Tuesday 26 March vs Belgium [Friendly] @Wembley
Lucas Paqueta Brazil fixtures
The 26-year-old hasn’t been involved in the Brazil squad since last summer, due to the ongoing investigation into his potential betting breaches.
However, he is back involved with the Brazil national team now, after being recalled by new manager Dorival Junior – deservedly so. It will be great to see Paqueta in action against Bowen on Saturday.
- Saturday 23 March vs England [Friendly] @Wembley
- Tuesday 26 March vs Spain [Friendly] @Santiago Bernabeu
Konstaninos Mavropanos international schedule for Greece
The 26-year-old centre-back has already earned 24 caps for Greece, and he looks set to add to that tally over the next six days.
Dinos faces two huge games, but only if his side can emerge victorious from their semi-final clash with Kazakhstan tomorrow.
- Thursday 21 March vs Kazakhstan [UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifier playoff semi-final] @OPAP Arena
- Tuesday 26 March vs Georgia or Luxembourg if victorious against Kazakhstan [UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifier playoff final]
Edson Alvarez Mexico international fixtures
The 26-year-old midfielder is a vital player for West Ham, and he is for his country as well. He’s set for a 10,000 mile round trip to the United states for Mexico’s upcoming CONCACAF Nations League matches.
He faces the longest trip out of all the West Ham players by quite some distance.
- Friday 22 March vs Panama [CONACAF Nations League semi-final] @AT&T Stadium
- Sunday/Monday 24/25 March vs USA or Jamaica [CONACAF Nations League 3rd/4th place playoff or the final itself] @AT&T Stadium
Tomas Soucek schedule for Czech Republic
The Czech Republic captain is absolutely crucial to his nation. The 29-year-old will be looking to play in both upcoming fixtures and if he does, he will take his international caps tally to a really impressive 68.
- Friday 22 March vs Norway [Friendly] @Ullevaal Stadion
- Tuesday 26 March vs Armenia [Friendly] @epet ARENA
Alphonse Areola France fixtures
The 31-year-old goalkeeper has been in sensational form for the Hammers so far this season, and he has made the second most saves in the Premier League.
The 2018 World Cup winner is currently behind AC Milan stopper Mike Maignan in the goalkeeping pecking order though, so he may not feature as much as he would like over the course of the next week.
- Saturday 23 March vs Germany [Friendly] @Groupama Stadium
- Tuesday 26 March vs Chile [Friendly] @Stade Velodrome
Nayef Aguerd international schedule for Morocco
Whilst the 27-year-old has been poor for West Ham this season, he is still a vital player for Morocco, and is undoubtedly one of their main leaders.
Aguerd has a couple of friendly fixtures to look forward to in his home country’s capital, Agadir.
- Friday 22 March vs Angola [Friendly] @Stade Adrar
- Tuesday 26 March vs Mauritania [Friendly] @Stade Adrar
Callum Marshall international fixtures for Northern Ireland
The 19-year-old teen sensation has really burst onto the scene with West Ham this season, and he’s extremely highly rated at the London Stadium. Marshall is currently out on loan with Championship side West Brom.
He has already earned three international caps for Northern Ireland, and he’ll be looking to add to them between now and next Tuesday.
- Friday 22 March vs Romania [Friendly] @National Arena
- Tuesday 26 March vs Scotland [Friendly] @Hampden Park
That is a seriously busy schedule for the West Ham players. However, one major boost for us is the fact that Vladimir Coufal wasn’t called up for the Czech squad as a punishment for flouting the rules back in November, as well as numerous other key players missing out for their countries for different reasons.
I actually can’t wait until this international break is over, and our players can get back to fighting it out for a place inside the top seven of the Premier League table, as well as doing their utmost to bring home another European trophy!
However, the eight West Ham players mentioned above face international fixtures first and they will be totally focused on them right now – they are all consummate professionals after all. That said, I’m counting down the hours until they return to Rush Green!
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