Has there ever been a more positive international break for Newcastle United? | OneFootball

Newcastle United fans have just enjoyed (endured) the first international break of the season.

Yes, three Premier League matches played and then everything put on hold for two weeks.

Who said modern football is rubbish?

As has become the norm, two others will shortly follow.

Four more Premier League matches for Newcastle United and then the October one.

Another four more NUFC games and then the November international break.

By the time we get to play West Ham at St James’ Park on the weekend of Saturday 23 November, Newcastle United will have only played 11 Premier League matches in the first 16 weeks of the season.

There is of course then a fourth and final international break of the season in March 2025, however, I wanted to go back to this one just ended, the September 2024 one.

My question is…

Has there even been a more positive international break for Newcastle United?

Now on this occasion I’m not talking about the benefits of this September international break in terms of allowing injured players to recover and become available again, others getting to full fitness with no matches to play.

Instead I mean those Newcastle United players who have been away with their national squads.

Those flying back into Newcastle Airport in recent days to be welcomed by that classic Greggs advert (see above).

This is what I mean about the Newcastle United players who have been away:

Alexander Isak – Scored three goals in two games for Sweden, even won a penalty and despite getting the chance to score a hat-trick, he is such a great bloke and team player, he let a fellow attacking player take the spot-kick and score a goal.

Will Osula – Made it four goals in four Under 21s Euros qualifiers for Denmark. In these two September matches, scored after only 16 minutes in the first game, then off the bench for the final 18 minutes as his side won 5-0.

Miguel Almiron – Played really well both matches for Paraguay, helping them to four points in their World Cup qualifying group, an away point at Uruguay who were second in the table, then a spectacular 1-0 win over Brazil.

Bruno Guimaraes – Started both matches and helped Brazil to a win over Ecuador, though the defeat to Paraguay a big disappointment.

Lewis Hall – Played well in both England Under 21 matches, got two assists and named man of the match in the second of the games.

Anthony Gordon – Now clearly a regular starter for England with Southgate gone, started both England matches and played very well in them, helping Lee Carsley to two victories.

Nick Pope and Tino Livramento – Over three hours of football and England didn’t concede a single goal… whilst they were sitting watching from the bench.

Martin Dubravka – Two clean sheets and two wins for Slovakia, over three hours of football and the NUFC keeper not conceding.

Odysseas Vlachodimos – Didn’t concede a goal in over three hours of football, two clean sheets helping Greece to two wins.

Sandro Tonali – The talk of Italy, a spectacular comeback seeing him one of their best players in the stunning 3-1 win in Paris, then very good again away from home in a win over Israel. Plus, Tonali playing every minute of both matches.

So there you are.

I honestly can’t remember a better international break for Newcastle United players, in terms of performances, goals and assists. Only Bruno losing that game a big downer BUT then at the same time that match a massive boost for Miggy!