It is just six days until Leeds United are back in action when The Whites take on Burnley at Turf Moor next Saturday, with the October international break now one game old.
The norm for most nations is that two games are played during the October break. In Europe, 2026 World Cup qualifiers are still being played, while those in the Americas and Asia have concluded qualification.
For Brenden Aaronson and Ao Tanaka, a place at next summer’s tournament has already been won. But for Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Karl Darlow and Leeds’ European stars, that ticket is still up for grabs.
Leeds have eight current members of Daniel Farke’s side on international duty, while out-on-loan duo Isaac Schmidt and Charlie Crew have also been in action. Below is how all 10 players have done so far.
Interestingly, none of Farke’s eight current players at Leeds have tasted victory. Only Schmidt won a match, but even then, he was not actually involved in the win – left on the bench with Switzerland.
How Leeds’ 10 international players have got on in first game
Ethan Ampadu, Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon
The trio all started for Wales at Wembley in a friendly against England. Odd timing for Craig Bellamy’s side, who play Belgium in a crucial World Cup qualifier next Tuesday. Wales suffered a 3-0 loss to England.
Darlow and Rodon both completed 90 minutes, while Ampadu was subbed off after the hour mark to keep him fresh. Darlow could do little about the goals, while Lee Dixon praised Rodon for his speed.
Gabriel Gudmundsson
Gudmundsson’s Sweden faced Schmidt’s Austria, but suffered a 2-0 home defeat. It resulted in the Swedish media hammering Danish boss Jon Dahl Tomasson. Gudmundsson played the entire game.
Jaka Bijol
Not a single win was recorded by nine of the 10 Leeds players in action, but Jaka Bijol will at least come out of the first week with positives. A clean sheet against Kosovo in World Cup qualifying, and 90 minutes.
Ao Tanaka
Tanaka played 80 minutes of a friendly with Paraguay, with both Asian and South American nations having already completed qualification. The game ended 2-2 and Japan fans were impressed with Ao.
Brenden Aaronson
Mauricio Pochettino has recalled Aaronson after his excellent form for Leeds in the last four games. The £25m Leeds ace was left on the bench as Pochettino’s men secured an impressive 1-1 draw with Ecuador.
Ilia Gruev
Like Aaronson, Gruev was left on the bench and shared the embarrassment of a 6-1 hammering by Turkey on Sunday evening. However, Gruev’s omission was a surprise, and more is likely to come of that, soon.
Isaac Schmidt
Schmidt is currently on loan with Werder Bremen. While he has not been starting matches in Germany, he has retained his place in the Switzerland squad. Like the former duo, he was also left on the subs’ bench.
Charlie Crew
Crew captained Wales’ U21 side for the first time in his career, having started for Bellamy’s senior side in a friendly against Canada in September. But it wasn’t a good night, as Wales were beaten 7-0 by Belgium.
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