Six Premier League players who shone during the international break

Footballers have flown far and wide to represent their countries this month and we’ve tracked the best-performing Premier League players from September’s internationals.

Six Premier League players who shone during the international break

Heung-min Son

Heung-min Son helped South Korea recover from an underwhelming start to the third round of AFC 2026 World Cup qualification. After a goalless draw with Palestine in their opener, Son starred as the Taegeuk Warriors bounced back with a 3-1 win over Oman.

The 32-year-old was involved in all three goals as scored and recorded two assists, including the opener for Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan. An own goal levelled for Oman before Son struck the winner. His assist for  Mik-kyu Joo deep into stoppage time wrapped up the three points.

Still Asia’s most high-profile footballer, the Spurs captain is now closing in on his country’s all-time appearance and goal records, held by Cha Bum-kun. His display against Oman was the perfect warm-up for this weekend’s North London derby.

Harry Wilson

Wales made a solid start to their Nations League campaign with four points from their opening two fixtures. After a hard-fought draw with group favourites Turkey, Wales won in Montenegro.

Harry Wilson was the architect of the win at a rain-soaked Gradski stadion in Nikšić, with Wales boss Craig Bellamy calling the conditions the ‘toughest’ he has been involved in.

The Fulham winger set up Kieffer Moore for the opening goal inside the first minute, before doubling the lead moments later with a stunning strike from distance. Wilson’s lovely left foot put Wales two-nil ahead inside three minutes, with Bellamy’s side holding on amid torrential downpour for three points.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Was this month the long-awaited breakthrough for Trent Alexander-Arnold in an England shirt?

The Liverpool right-back failed to win the trust of Gareth Southgate, with a return of 29 previous caps modest for a player who has been a regular at club level since his teens.

Alexander-Arnold’s defensive limitations meant the uber-cautious Southgate selected others over him, while an attempt to shoehorn the 25-year-old into midfield failed in the summer.

Lee Carsley opted to indulge Alexander-Arnold in his opening fixtures as interim manager and was rewarded. The right-back produced man-of-the-match performances against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, creating seven chances and showcasing his unique gifts. Tougher tests await than these Nations League B games, but this was a break that showed Alexander-Arnold is too talented for England to ignore.

Morgan Rogers 

Unai Emery made his feelings clear on Morgan Rogers’s call up to the England u-21 squad this month, outlining his belief that the Aston Villa midfielder was already above that level.

The Spaniard might just have a point after Rogers’ latest showing for the Young Lions, as the 21-year-old extended his record to four goals in four u-21 appearances with a brace against Austria.

Rogers was on target twice in a 4-1 win for England, a continuation of his excellent form to start the season in the Premier League. His mix of broad-shouldered physique, height, and delicacy with the ball are almost unique and, if he can add consistent goals, could take him into the senior set-up.

An honourable mention for Newcastle full-back Lewis Hall, who was named man of the match against Austria. The left-back recorded two assists in a characteristically energetic display.

Joshua Zirkzee

Joshua Zirkzee celebrated his first start for the Dutch national team with a maiden goal for the Oranje this month.

The Manchester United new boy opened the scoring in the 5-2 win over Bosnia with a clever flicked header, before turning provider for Tijjani Reijnders to score the second. Zirkzee is still finding his feet at club and international level, but this was an encouraging outing for the forward. His display earned high praise from Netherlands great Ruud Gullit.

“Because of Joshua Zirkzee, the Dutch National Team plays better,” Gullit said this week.

“He is very good in combination football and connections on the pitch happen because of him!”

Alexander Isak

Sweden might find themselves languishing in Tier C of the Nations League in 2024/25, but the lesser competition certainly provides a chance for their formidable forward line to build chemistry.

Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres were on song during September’s international break, a front pairing few sides in Europe can better.

Newcastle’s Isak scored three times across their two fixtures this month, netting twice in a 3-1 win in Azerbaijan before getting on the scoresheet as Sweden cruised past Estonia in Solna. Gyokeres was also on target three times across the two fixtures, with only Slovenia’s Benjamin Sesko having outscored the duo.

Read – The top 25 rated players in EA Sports FC 25 revealed

See more – Ranking the best teenage footballers in the world right now

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok