West Ham United look to be coming out of the international break better off than Sunday’s opponents Tottenham Hotspur.
All systems go for West Ham to seal deal but now Moyes is dithering – insider
The Nations League and friendly matches have caused some controversy given the current climate in the midst of the pandemic.
Not only that but with West Ham, Tottenham and the other Premier League clubs playing a truncated season, it has also placed huge demands on players.
Managers feared their top stars could be sidelined by injury or Covid isolation.
West Ham boss David Moyes almost lost Tomas Soucek when he was forced to self isolate in the last round of internationals.
Mourinho comes off worse from internationals
And he suffered a scare this time around over new boy Vladimir Coufal. There were also fears that in-form Arthur Masuaku could be out through injury after being sent home by DR Congo. But he should be fine to face Tottenham on Sunday.
It is Jose Mourinho, though, who seems set to come off worse ahead of the clash with the Hammers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Sky Sports have reported on a club versus country row between Tottenham and England over their use of talismanic captain Harry Kane.
The Spurs striker was a doubt for Sunday’s Nations League game against Belgium due to a muscle problem. But he emerged as a 66th-minute substitute as England won 2-1 at Wembley.
Spurs vs England row and concerns over Kane and Dier could boost Hammers
Jose Mourinho expressed concerns this month over Kane’s workload and called on Gareth Southgate to protect the striker by not playing him in all of England’s games during the international break.
But Southgate insists Kane is 100 per cent fit (Sky Sports).
If Kane faces Denmark it will be interesting to see whether he is then risked by Mourinho against West Ham. The game comes less than four days later and Spurs face three matches in seven days.
Tottenham defender Eric Dier is also a doubt for the Denmark game after picking up a hamstring problem (Daily Mail).
Although given Dier’s recent record for giving away penalties for club and country, West Ham fans might be hoping he recovers in time to face them.
Hammer Yarmolenko gives new boy Reguilon the runaround ahead of derby
West Ham star Andriy Yarmolenko may also have a psychological edge over the man he may face twice in week, Spurs new boy Sergio Reguilon.
The Hammers winger was in superb form playing on the right up against the speedy Reguilon.
It was an enthralling battle between the pair with plenty of feisty challenges thrown in from both men.
But experience and guile won over youthful exuberance and speed as Yarmolenko pulled the strings and provided a brilliant assist for Ukraine’s late winner.
Of course what will matter is who turns up on the day.
And if West Ham have been in superb form of late then so have Tottenham.
Mourinho has the north Londoners firing and many tipping them for a title challenge.
On loan Gareth Bale could also make his second debut for Tottenham while the brilliant Son Heung-min is looking a daunting prospect for any defender.
West Ham could leapfrog Tottenham in the fledgling table with a victory while Spurs could go second by taking all three points.