Several West Ham players shone for their national teams this international break, including Evan Ferguson, Edson Alvarez, Mohammed Kudus and Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Ferguson got back on the scoresheet in Ireland’s 2-1 Nations League win over Bulgaria on Sunday night, his first goal since November.
The striker on loan at West Ham has struggled for goals this season, not helped by injury, but this goal will undoubtedly give him a boost in confidence, which the Hammers will hope translates to more goals in the back end of the season.
Kudus is another West Ham man who is in need of a goal, and he got exactly that in Ghana’s 3-0 win over Madagascar in the AFCON World Cup qualifiers, which will also be a relief for the winger who hasn’t scored since before Christmas.
Alvarez captained Mexico in their Nations League final win over Panama on Monday, earning El Tri their first piece of silverware in the competition.
The midfielder led by example in the midfield, putting in both a spirited and committed performance which helped Mexico to what was a joyous occasion for the country.
Greece stunned Scotland at Hampden Park on Sunday in their Nations League playoff game, beating the Tartan Army 3-0.
Mavropanos played the full game for the visitors and was key in both their victory and clean sheet, which will also be a boost in confidence for a player that has struggled for the Hammers this season.
Other Hammers on international duty
Jarrod Bowen player 61 minutes in England’s World Cup qualifier against Latvia, which saw the Three Lions win 3-0, while Ollie Scarles and Kaelan Casey were brought on as substitutes in England’s Elite Development Squad 2-2 draw with Switzerland.
Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek also featured in Czech Republic’s 2-1 win over the Faroe Islands in their World Cup qualifier. This was Soucek’s first game for his national team after recently being announced Czech footballer of the year for the fourth time.
Coufal and Soucek could feature again on Tuesday night, in Czech Republic’s second World Cup qualifier against Gibraltar.
Graham Potter will be eager to reunite with his squad ahead of West Ham’s visit to Molineux to face Wolves next Tuesday, following a successful week for many of the club’s players on international duty.