Tottenham's Quiet International Break: Key Players Stay Behind

Tottenham’s international picture looks strangely quiet this break – and that might suit them just fine.

Only two senior Spurs players have been called up so far, both by the Netherlands. Central defenders Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke have been selected by Dutch boss Xavi Hernandez, a double vote of confidence in a partnership that has quickly become central to Tottenham’s plans.

While those two pack their bags, others are staying put.

Porro forced out, Kudus stays by choice

Pedro Porro’s absence is the straightforward one. The full-back was withdrawn from Spain’s squad after picking up what appeared to be a hamstring injury in Tottenham’s 2-3 home defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday. Given the way he pulled up, nobody at Spurs will be surprised he’s been removed from the international list. They’ll just be hoping the damage is minor.

Mohammed Kudus is a different story.

As reported by Alasdair Gold of Football.London, the Ghana international has voluntarily pulled out of his national team squad to continue his recovery in London. No pressure, no federation stand-off – just a player choosing club fitness over AFCON qualifiers.

It’s a notable call. Kudus hasn’t started a match since before his injury last season. He’s been eased back with cameos, and his influence has grown with each one. Saturday against Villa felt like a turning point: an assist on the board, another chalked off for offside, and the sharpest he’s looked since his setback.

He could have used the international window to build minutes with Ghana. Instead, he’s opted for three weeks at Hotspur Way, chasing full match sharpness under Tottenham’s watchful eye. For a player still trying to nail down a starting place, that decision says plenty about where his priorities lie.

Academy reward as Hardy and Williams-Barnett step up

While the senior squad thins out, two of Spurs’ brightest youngsters are stepping onto a bigger stage.

Defender Malachi Hardy and attacker Luca Williams-Barnett have both been called up to England U19. It’s a first appearance at that age group for each of them, a clear sign of how quickly their stock is rising.

Hardy impressed heavily in pre-season, banking serious minutes and catching the eye with his composure and athleticism. Williams-Barnett, regarded as one of the standout talents in the academy, has already been training regularly with the first team, even if he’s yet to make a Premier League bench.

Both have been part of the England youth setup before. This is the next rung on the ladder.

So Tottenham head into the break with a quieter dressing room than usual, a key creator choosing rehab over travel, and two teenagers stepping into the international spotlight. When the league resumes, we’ll find out whether that quieter fortnight has given Spurs exactly the edge they need.