Internationals take over the football calendar for the next two weeks, with numerous 2018 World Cup qualifiers and friendlies taking place around the world.
England, under Gareth Southgate, host Malta at Wembley on Saturday, before travelling to Slovenia on the following Tuesday – both are World Cup qualifiers.
The fortnight break gives Premier League managers an opportunity to reflect on their team’s start to the season and, consequently, they may decide to increase their scouting network in order to be one step ahead in the upcoming transfer window.
One manager who may use this fortnight that way is Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino.
His Spurs side have made a good start to the new Premier League season, and their win over league leaders Manchester City leaves them just one point behind Pep Guardiola’s side in the table.
Pochettino may sense another shot at winning the title, and may look to reinforce in the January window, so here are THREE players him and his scouting team may look at over the next two weeks…
Matias Kranevitter
A player who has got a very bright future in the game, 23-year-old Matias Kranevitter could be Spurs’ long-term defensive midfielder.
The Argentine international has been tipped to be the next star at current club Atletico Madrid, such is his excellent ability at protecting the defence and breaking up play in the midfield. He’s currently on loan at fellow La Liga side Sevilla, such is Atletico’s strength in the midfield areas.
He’s been called up to the Argentina squad for their qualifiers against Peru and Paraguay, and Spurs should head out to South America to keep an eye on this potentially world-class midfielder.
Valentin Stocker
Someone Spurs fans may remember from a Europa League match a few years ago, when Valentin Stocker scored an exquisite goal as FC Basel drew at White Hart Lane.
Since then, the 27-year-old has signed for Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin, and has continued to develop at a great rate – he has now become a regular and reliable midfielder at the Olympic Stadium.
He’s a tricky left-sided midfielder with good pace and ability on the ball, and would add to Spurs’ strength in depth in the attacking areas.
Nicolai Jorgensen
The 25-year-old is going through one of the most prolific spells of his career – he netted 11 times last season for FC Copenhagen in the Danish Super League and, following a move to Dutch side Feyenoord this summer, he has not let up, scoring six times in eight Eredivisie matches.
A regular for the national team in recent months, he’s again been called up to the squad for their tricky matches against Poland and Montenegro this fortnight.
He takes very good form into this international break, and Spurs should certainly take a look at how he gets on in those two games.