International breaks usually inconvenience Premier League clubs and are seen by fans as a disruption to club football.
But for some Leeds United players, though, this one could prove rather useful as a reset early in the 2026/27 campaign.
Daniel Farke has given his squad a short period to recharge, while those not involved with their countries have had valuable time on the training ground. That can be especially important for players who haven’t yet found their rhythm this season.
Leeds return to Premier League action against Arsenal on October 10, and Farke could have a few players looking rather different from the ones we saw before the break.
Here are three who could be unrecognisable when Leeds return.
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Jean-Matteo Bahoya
Bahoya is the obvious one.
The 21-year-old arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt on deadline day and missed much of Leeds’ pre-season, leaving him playing catch-up from the moment he walked through the door.
That is not an ideal situation for any new signing, particularly one moving into the Premier League for the first time.
His debut against Crystal Palace lasted just a minute, so supporters have barely had a chance to see what he can actually do.
The international break could have changed that.
Bahoya has been involved with the France Under-21s and scored on Wednesday night. But he is expected to be back sooner, and will have valuable time to train under Farke in the coming days.
That could make a significant difference.
Leeds did not sign Bahoya because they expected him to sit on the bench all season. The club clearly believe he can become an important attacking option.
The Arsenal game may come too soon for a starting role, but a longer cameo could give supporters their first proper look at him.
If he gets that opportunity, he could look like a completely different player to the one who arrived at Elland Road barely ready for competitive football.
Jaka Bijol
Bijol’s international break has been rather different.
While Bahoya has been working at Thorp Arch, the Slovenia international has been gaining more experience and confidence with his national team.
He also returns to Leeds with a rather useful problem for Farke.
Bijol has started two of Leeds’ opening five Premier League games, while Tarik Muharemovic has started all five. With Joe Rodon injured and Leeds continuing with three centre-backs, the club now faces a genuine selection decision.
And Bijol has done himself no harm during the break.
A strong international window can sometimes change a player’s momentum. Confidence grows, performances improve, and suddenly a player fighting for a place makes a very strong case for one.
That could be Bijol.
Farke has already seen enough to trust him, but the next step is turning that competition into a regular role.
If Bijol returns to Leeds full of confidence and puts in a strong week of training, he could be knocking very loudly on the manager’s door before the trip to Arsenal.
He may not be unrecognisable in the literal sense, but his standing within the squad could certainly be very different.
Dan James
James is the most interesting case because the international break did not exactly go according to plan for him.
He needed a strong spell with Wales. Instead, he made relatively little impact across their two matches, playing 27 minutes against Portugal and 67 against Denmark without registering a goal or assist.
The Welshman has two more games to find his rhythm before he returns to Leeds.
James is no longer an automatic starter for Farke, and the competition around him has increased. Harry Wilson will eventually return from injury, Noah Okafor provides another attacking option, and Bahoya is waiting for his opportunity.
That makes the next few weeks important.
The good news for James is that he knows exactly what he can do.
His pace remains a major weapon, and Farke has already shown that he is prepared to use him when the circumstances suit. But James needs to rediscover the sharpness and confidence that made him such an effective player for Leeds previously.
The Arsenal game could therefore be a useful reset.
A strong training period, followed by a lively appearance from the bench, could completely change the conversation around him.
Suddenly, the player who returned from international duty needing to fight for minutes could be pushing himself back into Farke’s plans.
That is what makes this break potentially important for all three.
Bahoya has had time to catch up. Bijol has had an opportunity to build momentum. James has been reminded that he needs to raise his level.
None of them is guaranteed to start against Arsenal.
But the international break gives all three an opportunity to change their situation before Leeds return to Premier League action.
And if they take it, Leeds could have three players looking very different when the season resumes.
Who scored the under 21`s goal for France,while Bahoya was getting fit at Thorpe Arch???