The international break has given Leeds United’s players an opportunity to impress on the international stage, but it has also created some interesting selection dilemmas for Daniel Farke.
With Leeds returning to Premier League action against Arsenal on October 10, their internationals’ performances could directly shape Farke’s thinking ahead of the trip to north London.
Some players have strengthened their claims during the break, while others have seen opportunities pass them by.
Here are five Leeds players who can consider themselves winners, and two who have not enjoyed the same experience.
Read More: Daniel Farke has three big decisions to make before Leeds United face Arsenal
Winner: Jaka Bijol
Jaka Bijol could hardly have timed his return to the Slovenia starting XI better.
The Leeds defender started against Scotland and produced a commanding performance in a goalless draw, making eight clearances, three blocks, two interceptions and a tackle.
Bijol has not been an automatic starter at Leeds this season, with Tarik Muharemovic starting all five Premier League games so far and Elvedi replacing him once Joe Rodon got injured.
His performance for Slovenia gives Farke something to consider.
Leeds are expected to continue with three centre-backs against Arsenal, and Bijol’s experience could prove particularly useful against one of the Premier League’s strongest attacks.
Winner: Anton Stach
Anton Stach’s start at Leeds has already been encouraging, and his involvement with Germany adds another reason for optimism.
The midfielder was handed his fourth senior cap during the international break after being included in Jurgen Klopp’s first Germany squad.
Stach has started all five Premier League matches for Leeds and has quickly become an important part of Farke’s midfield.
His spectacular winner against Nottingham Forest was an early highlight, but his ability to earn international recognition so soon after joining Leeds is arguably just as significant.
With Farke expected to keep Stach in the starting XI against Arsenal, his continued involvement with Germany can only add to his confidence.
Winner: Ao Tanaka
Ao Tanaka remains firmly in Japan’s plans and has another chance to build match fitness during the international break.
The Leeds midfielder came off the bench as Japan beat Uruguay 3-1, with his side scoring twice after his introduction.
Tanaka has already played an important role for Leeds this season and remains one of Farke’s options in a midfield that is becoming increasingly competitive.
His international involvement is another positive for the 27-year-old, especially as Leeds face a demanding run of fixtures after the break.
Winner: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s return to the England squad was one of the most positive early-season developments for Leeds.
The striker earned his recall after an excellent start at Elland Road, scoring four goals in his first six appearances.
His inclusion recognised the form he had shown for Farke and gave him another chance to establish himself in the England setup.
Even if his opportunities with England are limited, simply being back around the senior squad is a significant boost for a player who has had a difficult few years with injuries.
Leeds will now want him to take that confidence back to club football.
Winner: James Trafford
James Trafford’s inclusion in the England setup is another positive development for Leeds.
The goalkeeper has made a solid start at Elland Road and has already kept two clean sheets in his first five appearances.
He now finds himself competing for England’s goalkeeper position while continuing to establish himself as Leeds’ first choice.
Training alongside England’s best players will be valuable for Trafford, particularly at this stage of his career, and Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that he will start on Tuesday night after playing in the 3-2 defeat against Spain.
For Leeds, having their goalkeeper gaining international experience can only be viewed positively.
Loser: Harry Wilson
Harry Wilson would have been expected to be one of the headline names involved with Wales during the international break.
Instead, the Leeds summer signing was forced to withdraw from the squad with a quad injury.
The problem had already kept him out of Leeds’ goalless draw against Crystal Palace, meaning Wilson has missed valuable competitive minutes for both club and country.
That is particularly frustrating, as he needs more minutes to find his rhythm and regain the form he showed at Fulham last season.
Wilson was brought in to provide creativity and quality in the final third, and Farke will want him back as quickly as possible.
The positive is that the international break has given him additional time to recover ahead of Leeds’ trip to Arsenal.
Loser: Dan James
Dan James needed this international break to go well.
The Wales winger has slipped down Farke’s pecking order at Leeds and has increasingly found himself coming off the bench rather than starting.
That made his international involvement an important opportunity to rediscover some form.
Unfortunately for James, he has failed to make much of an impact in Wales’ opening two matches.
He came off the bench for 27 minutes against Portugal before starting against Denmark, but managed just 67 minutes in the 2-0 defeat without producing a goal or assist.
That is not what James would have wanted in a period when he needed to make a statement.
The competition for attacking places at Leeds has become stronger, particularly with Wilson waiting to return and Noah Okafor making a strong impression.
James still has time to change the picture with Wales before the international break ends, but he will return to Elland Road knowing he needs to do more if he is going to force his way back into Farke’s starting XI.
With Arsenal next, the international break has therefore produced a mixture of good and bad news for Leeds.
Bijol has given Farke a selection headache, Stach and Tanaka have continued to strengthen their claims, while Calvert-Lewin and Trafford have gained valuable international recognition.
For Wilson and James, however, the picture is rather different.
And with one of Leeds’ biggest tests of the season waiting at the Emirates, Farke will have plenty to consider when his squad returns to Thorp Arch.
