Five Premier League players that should get international call-ups

With the latest round of Euro 2016 qualifiers just around the corner, Coral’s football experts started to wonder. Should fine form in the Premier League result in international call-ups for some of the foreign stars that have hit the ground running?

We put our heads together and came up with five, as yet, uncapped footballers that ought to feel pretty good about their chances of recognition from their respective countries.

Jose Fonte
Southampton skipper and central defender Fonte has received a preliminary call-up to Portugal’s squad for the first time under new national boss Fernando Santos. By the player’s only admission, “It’s not definitive, but it’s a first step”, but this inclusion has been a long time coming for the 30-year-old. Fonte should be in the Navigators setup for keeps following several seasons’ worth of consistent performance.

Harry Kane
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill is exploring the possibility of Spurs striker Kane switching allegiance from England, according to the tabloids. Looking at the Young Lions international’s form this season it’s easy to see why. Although Kane is yet to start in the Premier League this term, he has two goals in three Europa League outings and another from the Capital One Cup against Nottingham Forest.

Javi Manquillo
Spanish right back Manquillo should be targeting a senior call-up sooner rather than later. Liverpool predecessor Alvaro Arbeloa has retired from representing La Roja, while Dani Carvajal of Real Madrid is struggling for form and fitness. Atletico’s Juanfran Torres turn 30 in January, while Cesar Azpilicueta is performing at left back for Chelsea.

Graziano Pelle
Italian forward Pelle arguably scored the goal of the Premier League season so far in Southampton’s last outing. He has five in all competitions; a tally which only Saints-owned player Dani Osvaldo has matched at Inter Milan among the current crop of Azzurri internationals. In fact, Pelle has scores as many goals as Mario Balotelli, Mattia Destro and Ciro Immobile combined. Have you been watching Antonio Conte?

Leonardo Ulloa
Argentine attacker Ulloa has five Premier League goals in his first six top-flight starts, quickly repaying the club record £8m Leicester City splashed out on him. This gamble from Foxes boss Nigel Pearson has really paid off. Franco Di Santo got a call-up to La Albiceleste’s squad for doing a lot less, so Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino take note.