How to exploit the international friendlies

It could have been an opportunity to see Ravel Morrison playing with the Reggae Boyz, and instead this week entirely dedicated to national friendlies has left us very indifferent: it will be because it was an opportunity to get ready for the World Cup, and it is useless to remember that Italy will not participate, it will also be because in these cases it becomes a great countdown in view of the return of the championship and the Champions League. But what did this break really make sense as well as unveils the new jerseys? Pogba's back to score, the convincing performance of Brazil, the thousand random matches around the world, the impact of Federico Chiesa at Wembley, but not only: these are the six players who showed off in their last friendlies.

#1 Marcos Alonso

The night of the Wanda Metropolitano, already unforgettable for the Spanish aficionados after the 6-1 served to Argentina, it will be even more for the Alonso family: the left back former Fiorentina has finally got its first call with La Roja, also debuting in his hometown. Marcos is the third member of the family to wear the national jersey, after his grandfather (Marquitos) and his father (Marcos Alonso Pena). Absolute protagonist with the Chelsea shirt is a candidate for an operation that is anything but easy: to take the place of Monreal (which can also do the center back if necessary) and appear into the list of 23 who will fly to Russia.

#2 Lewis Cook

Speaking of grandparents, let's listen what happened to Mr. Burlingham, who in 2014 aimed 500 pounds on his nephew's debut in the national team, before turning 26. After the bench against the Netherlands, Lewis made his debut in the middle of the second half against Italy, allowing his grandfather to cash £ 17k, and becoming the first Bournemouth player to wear the Three Lions shirt.

#3 Justin Kluivert

The Dutch national team did not qualify to the World Cup and so started yet another almost total revolution, starting from these two prestigious friendlies, against England and Portugal: new manager (Koeman), new captain (Van Dijk), but above all many youngsters. Justin Kluivert's debut in the National Team was just a matter of time, right under the eyes of his father Patrick. At 18 years and 325 days, he has all the credentials to become one of the strengths of Orange, as well as his teammates in Ajax, de Ligt and Van de Beek.

#4 Timothy Weah

Always on the subject of children of famous former footballers, the debut of Weah jr. it was perhaps the real reason to follow carefully (excepting the hype for the new US shirt) the friendly between USA and Paraguay. Born in New York in 2000 and raised in Florida, the son of the current Liberian president was spoiled for choice, being also in contention for calls with France and Jamaica. In the end, he chose the USA, with whom he played since 2012, ending an unforgettable month, started with the recent debut in Ligue 1 with PSG.

#5 Danny Vukovic

The best story of the international break is most likely the one that happened at Craven Cottage in London, where Australia played against Colombia. On his debut with the Socceroos, the Genk goalkeeper saved a penalty to Miguel Borja a few minutes from the end, allowing him to keep the match at 0-0. While celebrating the 33rd birthday at best, the Australian goalkeeper may have obtained, two months from the call-ups, a place on the plane for Russia that seemed so unexpected.

#6 Mario Rui

After the experiences with Gubbio, Spezia, Empoli and Rome, Mario Rui's moment seem finally arrived, a few months before 27 years. The Napoli left-back took advantage of the last chance and started in the lineup in the defeat of Portugal against the Netherlands, finally playing a part with Seleçao das Quinas: will have convinced Fernando Santos to reserve him a place in the left side, as a couple with Guerreiro?