The days of Wolves fans getting excited at Dave Edwards of Wales being the club’s only international are long gone, and it has now become a regularity for multiple Wolves players to be called up for some international powerhouses. Ten Wolves first-team players are currently away from Compton Park across differing age groups, and all face very contrasting weeks with their nations.
Jonny
Jonny was called up to the Spain squad for the second time last week, having been brought on for his debut against Wales in Cardiff last month, before gaining his first start in the defeat to England in Seville. Jonny is in the Spain squad as deputy to Cesar Azpilicueta at right-back, a contrast to the attacking left wing-back role he plays at Molineux. Spain’s first game of the break came against Croatia last night, where they were beaten 3-2 due to Tin Jedvaj’s last minute winner, leaving Nations League progression out of their hands, however, Jonny was an unused substituted. It is likely he will gain his third senior cap in a friendly against Bosnia & Herzegovina on Sunday in Gran Canaria.
Rui Patricio & Ruben Neves
Two of Wolves’ most high-profile names, at differing ends of their international careers. Rui Patricio has been a Portugal regular since 2011, and looks to gain his 77th and 78th caps in the San Siro against Italy and at home against Poland, both in the UEFA Nations League. With Joao Moutinho, who has not been picked for Portugal since joining Wolves, Patricio is one of two Molineux players who have won an international honour, having lifted Euro 2016 in France.
On the other hand, Ruben Neves will try to gain his 9th and 10th caps this week. Neves, who made his international debut in 2015 aged 18, has been a mainstay in Portugal squads since the start of this season, missing only the friendly with Scotland last month out of Portugal’s four games. Neves insists he is over missing out on the World Cup squad in 2018, with the defensive midfielder sure to be involved in the major tournaments of 2020 and 2022, should Portugal qualify.
Leander Dendoncker
Leander Dendoncker has been recalled to the Belgium squad this month, having missed out on the October fixtures. Highly-rated Dendoncker has still yet to make a league appearance in gold and black, having played in both Carabao Cup ties against Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City, but has still been deemed good enough to accompany Belgium’s ‘golden generation’, according to Roberto Martinez. Capable of playing in midfield or defence, 23-year-old Dendoncker made his debut in 2015 and has gained 6 caps for Belgium. Yesterday, the Red Devils hosted Iceland, and won 2-0, with Dendoncker left as an unused substitute. With a big game in the Nations League on Sunday against Switzerland, it is unlikely Dendoncker will add to his 6 caps this month.
Matt Doherty
Matt Doherty’s recent impressive performances for Wolves have enabled him to become a regular in Ireland squads, and last month he was rewarded with his first and second international starts against Wales and Denmark. This month, however, Doherty has withdrawn from the squad due to injury, which will worry Wolves fans as Doherty is the only natural right wing-back in the first team squad.
Raul Jimenez
Benfica loanee Jimenez has impressed in his first three months in England, directly contributing to 66% of Wolves’ league goals. One of four members of the current squad to go to Russia in the summer, Jimenez has been a regular for Mexico since 2013, earning 68 caps in that time, and also gaining an Olympic gold medal with his country before he had even made his debut in London in 2012. Mexico face two friendlies against Argentina in this break, although manager Ricardo Ferretti has confirmed Jimenez will only play in one in order to keep him fit for his club.
Romain Saiss
Another who travelled to the World Cup, Romain Saiss has continued his run of being in every Morocco squad since November 2016, making 27 appearances for his country since 2012, scoring one goal. In the World Cup Saiss played alongside Juventus’ Mehdi Benatia at centre-back, a move that was replicated in pre-season for Wolves, but Ryan Bennett started ahead of Saiss in Wolves’ first league game of the season. Limited to only substitute appearances in the Premier League this term, Saiss will hope to start in an AFCON qualifier against Cameroon and a friendly in Tunisia.
Diogo Jota & Ruben Vinagre
Jota and Vinagre will both aim to appear for Portugal’s youth sides this week. Jota, who regularly captains the U21 side, will look to steer Portugal to next summer’s European Championships during two legs of a play off with Poland. Vinagre is with the U20 side after winning the U19 Euros over the summer, and will be involved in three games, one against Poland and two against Slovakia.
Morgan Gibbs-White
A year on from winning the U17 World Cup in India, Morgan Gibbs-White has been attracting the attention of fans and pundits alike with recent performances for Wolves. Now playing for England’s U19s, he faces three games in Turkey against Moldova, Iceland and the hosts, where he will hope to keep up his recent club form.