Debutant Watch: Boadu, Orsolini and Olmo take their chance during international break
In the build-up to the last international break of 2019, we highlighted 10 budding starlets hoping to debut for their respective nations after impressive starts to the season with their clubs. Now the break is over, it's time to reflect and see which of those players grasped their opportunity and those that didn't.
Matteo Guendouzi (Arsenal / France)
Matteo Guendouzi was an unused substitute in both of France's matches during the international break, as the wait for his Les Bleus debut continues. The highly rated Arsenal midfielder was on the bench for four of France's last six qualifiers, as their campaign went right down to the wire to secure top spot in Group H. Guendouzi has now been drafted in to the senior France squad as an injury replacement in two of the last three international breaks and will hope to next earn recognition on merit rather than as a result of someone pulling out.
Dejan Kulusevski (Parma / Sweden)
Sweden secured their place at Euro 2020 with a game to spare but Parma winger Dejan Kulusevski could only manage 25 minutes as a substitute in their final match in Group F. Sweden were 1-0 up against the Faroe Islands when Kulusevski came on for his Sweden debut and Janne Andersson's side ran out 3-0 winners. Kulusevski's aim will now be to cement his place in the Sweden squad for Euro 2020.
James Maddison (Leicester / England)
Leicester midfielder James Maddison finally made his full England debut during the international break, though it was still a frustrating week for the talented 22-year-old. Maddison got 34 minutes under his belt towards the end of England's 7-0 thrashing of Montenegro and would likely have started their final group game, only for a minor calf injury to keep him out against Kosovo on Sunday.
Ozan Kabak (Schalke / Turkey)
Turkey qualified for Euro 2020 in their penultimate match and that allowed Senol Gunes to chop and change for their final game on Sunday. Turkey ran out 2-0 winners away to Andorra to conclude their qualifiaction campaign and Schalke centre-back Ozan Kabak made his full debut in the win. The 19-year-old came through unscathed during his 90-minute performance and will hope to push Caglar Soyuncu and Merih Demiral for a starting berth next summer.
Steven Alzate (Brighton / Colombia)
Colombia recorded successive 1-0 friendly wins over Peru and Ecuador during the international break and versatile Brighton midfielder Steven Alzate featured in both games. The 21-year-old made his international debut as a second half substitute against Peru before playing the full 90 minutes against Ecuador.
Myron Boadu (AZ Alkmaar / Netherlands)
One of our more highly anticipated prospects from the list of 10, Myron Boadu made his debut for the Netherlands in their 5-0 win over Estonia on Tuesday. The 18-year-old watched their penultimate qualifier from the bench, as a tense 0-0 draw with Northern Ireland was good enough to qualify for Euro 2020, but made the most of a second-half appearance against Estonia to remain in Ronald Koeman's thoughts going forward. The AZ teenager tested the Estonia goalkeeper from range before eventually grabbing his debut goal to become the youngest player since Ryan Babel in 2005 to score for the Netherlands.
Rodrygo (Real Madrid / Brazil)
Real Madrid sensation Rodrygo would have been disappointed only to get two minutes against South Korea on Tuesday after managing a 29-minute cameo against Argentina in Brazil's first game of the international break. The 18-year-old is currently above Gareth Bale in the pecking order and it will likely remain that way after the Welshman's dig at Madrid on Tuesday night. Rodrygo will now have his eyes set on forcing his way into the reckoning for Brazil's Copa America squad next summer, though Tite is stacked with offensive options and it will be a tough ask of the teenager.
Dani Olmo (Dinamo Zagreb / Spain)
The international break for Spain was dominated by the return of Luis Enrique as head coach. The former Barcelona boss had to step down from his post with the national team in January due to personal reasons but is now back at the helm ahead of Euro 2020. Dinamo Zagreb starlet Dani Olmo will hope to be in his new manager's thoughts after scoring on debut for Spain in their 7-0 mauling of Malta in their penultimate qualifier.
Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea / England)
There were suggestions Nigeria wanted Fikayo Tomori to pledge his international allegiance to the Super Eagles but that is no longer possible after the Chelsea centre-back made his full England debut in their penultimate qualifier against Kosovo as a substitute in the final six minutes. Given England's woes at the back in finding a reliable partner for Harry Maguire, there is even a chance Tomori could establish himself as a starter for Euro 2020 if he continues to impress at Chelsea this season.
Ricardo Orsolini (Bologna / Italy)
Italy rounded off their qualification campaign with the biggest win against European opposition in their history, smashing Armenia 9-1. Italy had seven different goalscorers on Monday night, as Italy finished qualifying with 10 wins from 10 matches. Bologna winger Ricardo Orsolini came off the bench for the second half and did well to steer Federico Chiesa's venomous cross in for a debut goal before returning the favour to the Fiorentina winger.
