Paperwork may already be slowing Javi Gracia’s rate of progress at Leeds United, but the matches will come thick and fast once his feet are under the table. Assuming Southampton is the Spaniard’s first match in the dugout, the FA Cup trip to Fulham comes just three days later.
Another four days pass before it’s a return trip to SW6 against Chelsea. The Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers matches follow with clear weeks in between, where Gracia is sure to really knuckle down with the squad.
The big opportunity the new head coach will be looking forward to is at the end of March. The fortnight-long international break between the Wolves and Arsenal trips will be crucial, uninterrupted time on the training pitches for Gracia and his team.
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The only catch is how many players he could end up losing to their countries. Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie look nailed on for USA selection in their CONCACAF Nations League clashes with Grenada and El Salvador.
Rasmus Kristensen has also played regularly enough to remain in Denmark’s thoughts as they take on Finland and Kazakhstan in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers. Italy have qualifiers against England and Malta too, with Wilfried Gnonto sure to be involved after his run of form.
Austria are bound to call up Max Wober, assuming he has sufficiently recovered from his current shoulder issue, for qualifiers with Azerbaijan and Estonia. Beyond that sextet, there are question marks about others leaving Thorp Arch.
Illan Meslier looks a very good bet for a first France call-up after Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda’s retirements between the sticks. There is competition and he may not be first choice, but this is an obvious opportunity for Didier Deschamps to get the 22-year-old involved.
Robin Koch was surprisingly left out of Germany’s World Cup squad by Hansi Flick, so he will have to wait and see if his strong form in the Premier League is enough to be recalled. Liam Cooper has not featured in Scotland’s last seven matches, largely because of fitness issues.
Injuries have again been an issue for him in recent weeks, so it remains to be seen if Steve Clarke calls him up again, but he has a good chance. Pascal Struijk has been on the periphery of the Netherlands conversation, but it’s impossible to predict if he finally gets that first call-up this time.
Luis Sinisterra is a key player for Colombia, but his recent fitness issues may see him stay in West Yorkshire too, especially given his country are only playing friendlies. That leaves Luke Ayling, Junior Firpo, Adam Forshaw, Marc Roca, Patrick Bamford, Crysencio Summerville, Jack Harrison, Rodrigo, Georginio Rutter and Sam Greenwood as the safest, senior bets for two weeks with Gracia.
The new boss will be keen to see his players are happy and proud of playing for their nations, but there must be a big part of him wanting to see as many stay around as possible over that priceless pocket of time training together.
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