Five Premier League stars who are praying for a miracle international break including Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz has endured an underwhelming start to life at Liverpool as he is just one of the misfiring Premier League stars in need of an impactful international break.
Sources have told Football Insider that Arne Slot is worried by Wirtz’s appalling start at Liverpool.
Ex-Man United legend Wayne Rooney believes that Wirtz is upsetting the balance of Liverpool’s system, with the midfielder struggling to adapt to the English top-flight.
The 22-year-old is just one of a host of stuttering Premier League players who need to drastically revive their slow starts to the 2025-26 campaign as Football Insider reveals.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Having been a firm favourite under Mikel Arteta last season, the Englishman has been unable to force his way back into the starting XI.
Riccardo Calafiori’s dominance at left-back has seen Myles Lewis-Skelly start just two matches this campaign in all competitions.
England are currently begging for a suitable left-back, made even worse by the injury to Newcastle‘s Tino Livramento.
That could open up an opportunity for the 19-year-old to start both of the Three Lions’ matches during the international break and two solid performances should grab the attention of the manager who introduced him into the Arsenal senior set-up.
Jorrel Hato
The Ajax academy graduate has found it particularly difficult to adapt to life at Stamford Bridge with just three starts in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s performances have been hugely underwhelming, especially for a young Dutchman touted to be one of the upcoming generation’s best defenders.
Sources told Football Insider on 30 September that Chelsea are not planning to sign a new centre-back in January despite an apparent injury crisis.
If Jorrel Hato impresses whilst away with The Netherlands on international duty, he could force his way into Enzo Maresca’s plans as his short-term first-choice central defender.
Moreover, if he plays well in the absence of more senior players, the number 21 could even become one of the mainstays in the Blues’ backline moving forward.
Andy Robertson
Once the go-to left-back at Anfield, Andy Robertson has slipped down the pecking order due to his age and the signing of Milos Kerkez.
The Hungarian has been erratic since he joined Liverpool, as demonstrated by a 38th-minute substitution against Burnley on 14 September, suggesting the Scotsman had a chance to regain his starting spot.
Yet, since that game, the number 26 has started just twice in all competitions as the former Bournemouth full-back continues to hold down the left-hand side.
Back with his beloved national team, the Tartan Army’s skipper will be eager to lead his side to success as they eye up World Cup qualification.
Quality performances against Greece and Belarus could be enough to show Slot why he must be restored to the starting XI at Anfield.
Ollie Watkins
The 29-year-old has been a shadow of his former self in the 2025-26 season and has scored just one goal in 10 appearances in all competitions.
In previous years, Ollie Watkins has frequently smashed home at least 15 goals a campaign, with his best scoring run occurring in the 2023-24 Champions League qualifying year, where he notched 27 goals.
Aston Villa have been woeful as a unit in general, but the absence of their main goal threat has dampened the team’s prospects even more.
The brilliance of Donyell Malen against Burnley on 5 October showed that perhaps Unai Emery ought to consider a future without the number 11.
| Ollie Watkins 2025-26 in all competitions | Stat |
| Appearances (starts) | 10 (8) |
| Minutes played | 726 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Big chances missed | 4 |
| Total shots (on target) | 15 (5) |
Bearing in mind the Three Lions’ over-reliance on Harry Kane, Watkins needs to be working tirelessly to force his way into contention as the starting striker for the future of the national team.
His efforts will also be closely followed by his club manager who will be pondering over what to do with the ex-Brentford man should he falter on the international stage.
Florian Wirtz
As mentioned, it has been a shocking start for the Germany international who has failed to live up to his eye-watering price tag.
The number seven is the second most expensive transfer in British history behind teammate Alexander Isak, yet has not dazzled in the Premier League.
Ironically, Reds fans thought Wirtz had rediscovered his goalscoring form when he smashed in a free-kick against Northern Ireland in the previous international break.
Alas, that striker amounted to nothing as the former Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid couldn’t replicate the same form back in the English top-flight.
With a plethora of attacking options at Slot’s disposal, the 22-year-old must channel his international form and bring it with him when the Premier League recommences on 18 October.