The round of international fixtures has now concluded and here’s how Leeds United players have performed for their countries.
Fans usually bemoan international breaks, but the pause in Championship action came at a good time for Leeds United.
Daniel Farke’s side has won just one of their last four fixtures, throwing away their advantage at the top of the Championship table.
Sheffield United are also on 80 points while Burnley are breathing hard down their necks, just two behind.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LeedsLeeds | 38 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 76 | 25 | 51 | 80 |
| 2 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 38 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 53 | 28 | 25 | 80 |
| 3 |  BurnleyBurnley | 38 | 21 | 15 | 2 | 52 | 11 | 41 | 78 |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 38 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 55 | 37 | 18 | 69 |
The international break has allowed the Leeds squad to take a step back from the intense run-in and hopefully come back fresh for the pivotal final matches in the title race.
Here’s how Leeds’ 16 jet-setting players performed for their nations over the last week.
Ao Tanaka
Ao Tanaka was an unused substitute in Japan’s 5-0 demolition of Bahrain in their World Cup Qualifier, which is good news for Leeds, given the midfielder has looked tired in recent weeks.
However, he did play the full 90 minutes in their 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday but Tanaka didn’t earn great praise from fans.
Tanaka was also given 5.5/10 for his performance from the Japanese media.
Junior Firpo
Leeds left-back Junior Firpo did not feature in the Dominican Republic’s 2-2 draw with Puerto Rico on Friday, however, he wasn’t left out due to any serious injury.
In fact, Firpo returned to the side on Wednesday morning to face Puerto Rico at home, and he even scored as he bagged a penalty in the 2-0 victory.
Mateo Joseph
Mateo Joseph got back amongst the goals for Spain’s U21s in the 2-2 draw against Czechia on Friday, earning rave reviews from fans after scoring the opener.
Joseph wasn’t as fortunate against Germany, though, as his side lost 3-1. He played 85 minutes.
Ilia Gruev
Ilia Gruev started in both of Bulgaria’s matches but it wouldn’t be a happy time as his country lost 2-1 to Ireland twice in a Nations League play-off.
The midfielder was booked and taken off in the second match, and Gruev was critical of his side’s errors in the first defeat.
Willy Gnonto
Willy Gnonto was hoping to finally get some minutes under his belt with the Italy U21s, but things didn’t go to plan as he picked up an injury before half time against the Netherlands.
Gnonto is back at Thorp Arch after suffering an ankle problem and his previous injuries of that nature suggest he could miss 5-6 games at least.
Manor Solomon
Israel got their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start by beating Estonia 2-1, with Manor Solomon setting up Ela Dasa’s winning goal.
He was back in action against Erling Haaland’s Norway on Tuesday but couldn’t help much as they were hammered 4-2. He played the full 90.
Dan James
Dan James scored the opening goal for Wales in their 3-1 World Cup Qualifier win over Kazakhstan.
The winger capitalised on some terrible defending to get a tame left-footed shot on goal that somehow deflected into the net. James was highly praised for his performance by the Welsh media.
Wales struggled in their second game away at North Macedonia and could only draw 1-1 through a 96th-minute leveller. James was taken off by manager Craig Bellamy in the 64th minute, and the decision did not go down well with fans.
Joe Rodon
Joe Rodon also played every minute for Wales and helped ensure they won their first match comfortably despite the visiting side levelling from the penalty spot.
Rodon was also excellent on the ball and an unexpected creative force.
He once again earned rave reviews for his game against North Macedonia.
Karl Darlow
Leeds’ backup goalkeeper Karl Darlow had a comfortable evening in net as he faced just two shots, though one was a penalty that he nearly saved after diving the right way and getting a foot on it.
There was nothing much he could do about North Macedonia’s late goal after Joe Allen played the scorer through with a terrible back pass.
Isaac Schmidt
Isaac Schmidt made his Switzerland debut in Friday’s 1-1 friendly draw with Northern Ireland.
Schmidt earned a glowing review from his manager after playing 68 minutes at right-back, though he may have to leave Leeds if he wants to stay in the side.
He came on for the final 25 minutes in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Luxembourg.
Rasmus Kristensen
Rasmus Kristensen is another player to earn roaring adulation after his 10/10 performance for Denmark.
Kristensen, who is spending the season on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt, scored in Denmark’s 5-2 defeat at Portugal and also played the full 90 in their 1-0 victory over Cristiano Ronaldo’s side a few days earlier.
Showing his versatility, Kristensen also offered to go in goal after Kasper Schmeichel picked up an injury
Charlie Crew
Out-on-loan youngster Charlie Crew started both of Wales U19’s defeats to England and Portugal, but didn’t play in the victory against Turkey over the past week.
Darko Gyabi
Darko Gyabi featured in England U20’s 1-1 draw with Portugal.
Sam Chambers
Sam Chambers scored his first goal for Scotland’s U19s in a 1-1 draw with Sweden.
Chambers has already earned a new Leeds contract and is continuing to push for a first-team place.
Rory Mahady
Rory Mahady did not play in Scotland Under-21’s 2-0 win over their Irish counterparts or the 6-1 hammering they suffered to Iceland.
Diogo Monteiro
Diogo Monteiro scored a header on his debut for Portugal’s Under-20s when he took on Gyabi’s England in the 1-1 stalemate.
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