West Ham's International Issue Amidst Early Season Break

West Ham have two weeks off to think about their poor form, but for four players International call-ups will have their focus elsewhere. With only four players called up is there an issue with the quality of player West Ham have on their roster?

Let’s start with the four West Ham players who have been selected for their home nation’s international squads – Marko Arnautovic, Lukasz Fabianski, Andriy Yarmolenko, and Robert Snodgrass.

Arnautovic was a shoe-in to get called up to Austria’s squad after his start to this season and end to last year. With two goals in four games, Arnautovic has been on form despite the team’s dysfunctions on the pitch this season.

Austria’s team form has been similar to their star forwards, stringing together six wins out of their last seven games. This included a thrilling 2-1 victory over Germany just before the World Cup this past summer. Arnautovic drives the bus for Austria and is integral to their recent success, look for him to continue to produce for his home country.

Austria will play a surprisingly solid Sweden team on September 6th.

Irons’ No.1

Lukasz Fabianski received his international call-up from Poland following a group stage exit at the 2018 World Cup. The good news is that the one win Poland did get came off of a three-save clean sheet in Fabianski’s only start, against Japan.

Fabianski has been a steal for West Ham whose defense has forced the most Premier League saves (21) from their keeper one month into the season. Fabianski has been West Ham’s best player this season by a long shot, keeping them in games early and keeping the scorelines more respectable in just about every match thus far.

The Lesser Spotted Yarmolenko

Andriy Yarmolenko has received the call-up from Ukraine ahead of this months international break. Yarmolenko has gotten off to a slow start at West Ham, but injury may have played more into that than we think. He has only featured as a sub in Premier League action after a late preseason injury limited his match fitness. Hopefully, he will use this extra match time to find his form and come back rejuvenated to West Ham.

This call-up will be Yarmolenko’s 77th international cap. In this time period, he has been rather prolific, scoring 35 goals for Ukraine. There is more than just promise for Yarmolenko at West Ham and the time spent back with Ukraine may ignite that goalscoring prowess for West Ham’s big right winger.

Finally, the last call-up is Robert Snodgrass for Scotland. This one is a little puzzling as Snodgrass reportedly asked to be left out of Scotland’s squad in September so he can focus on his West Ham come back. It appears that an injury to West Brom’s Matt Phillips forced Scotland’s hand in asking again for his international services under new manager Alex McLeish.

I assume there was a conversation that happened between Snodgrass and Pellegrini giving him the okay to leave the team for this period. Snodgrass has cemented himself in West Ham’s starting XI and is on a short list of players who have actually looked solid this season. He has started all four of West Ham’s Premier League matches and has looked ready for Pellegrini’s team, an international break may be a good idea for the Scotsman.

Scotland plays Belgium on September 7th.

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Finally, is there an issue with our squad after only four players were picked for international duty? Well, Declan Rice would have played for Ireland if he didn’t request a leave for more time on his international decision so we can add an asterisk to that number.

Those who missed out

After Brazil’s disappointing World Cup Felipe Anderson had a chance to steal a position in the world football superpower’s upcoming squad. Anderson has not yet acclimated to the Premier League and thus was not taken in the squad, to further the conversation about his chances of joining the team Everton’s Richarlison was selected showing that eyes were on Brazil’s players in their opening month of Premier League football.

Chicharito was passed over by Mexico after a successful 2018 World Cup including a victory over Germany. Presumably, this is to allow for more youth players to get a chance in international friendlies, but it has been no secret that our fox in the box has struggled with his opportunities this season only netting one goal against a ten-man Wimbledon team.

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Ryan Fredericks was not chosen for England’s team. Maybe this isn’t a surprise but after his terrific promotion season at Fulham and move across London, there were some lofty expectations for the right back. Fredericks has failed to make any strides towards an international call-up and may be sat for the likes of Pablo Zabaleta.

Time appears to be running out for Michail Antonio to make an impact on England’s squad. The once-promising winger who rose through the ranks of English football has had his dreams of representing injury-marred by injury and now performance. Antonio’s on-pitch production has been lackluster for the past year and at 28 his chance may have passed him by with the impressive youth in the system.

The likes of Jack Wilshere, Carlos Sanchez, and Issa Diop are also not in their respective squads. Wilshere has yet to earn a spot back but Adam Lallana and Fabian Delph did so make of that what you will. Sanchez is being passed up for younger options on Colombia’s team, and Issa Diop has his best years ahead of him so no France call-up is nothing to worry about.

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There should be more emphasis on West Ham players getting these international caps, but more of these players would feature if they had put together solid performances for their team. It may be best for the bulk of the squad to remain in club training to get some Premier League form back in September.

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West Ham’s International Issue Amidst Early Season Break

By Adam Smith | Sep 5, 2018

West Ham have two weeks off to think about their poor form, but for four players International call-ups will have their focus elsewhere. With only four players called up is there an issue with the quality of player West Ham have on their roster?

Irons’ No.1

The Lesser Spotted Yarmolenko

Those who missed out

More from Green Street Hammers - West Ham