Leeds star Chambers, compared to Jack Grealish for his international performance, impressed during Scotland’s qualification matches, while Spurs player Kulusevski delivered a confident message for his national team after scoring twice against Azerbaijan. Both players are gearing up for big upcoming challenges, with Chambers continuing to develop on the international stage and Kulusevski looking to make an impact in Tottenham’s clash with Manchester City.
Leeds Star Compared to Grealish on International Duty
Leeds U21 goalkeeper Mahady secured a clean sheet against the French favorites, while recent debutant Chambers came off the bench to help maintain the Group I draw at Falkirk Stadium.
The 18-year-old Mahady has been Leeds’ first-choice goalkeeper for the U21s this season, making seven appearances in Premier League 2. Chambers, on the other hand, has made four appearances for the U21s and featured once as a substitute for Daniel Farke’s senior team in their 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle earlier this month.
Chambers also joined the first-team squad during the summer on the Whites’ tour of Germany after catching Farke’s eye in training. The Leeds-supporting attacking midfielder also scored in a pre-season friendly against League Two side Harrogate Town.
Although Mahady has more experience at the U19 level, this month marked 17-year-old Chambers’ debut with Neil MacFarlane’s squad. He featured in all three qualification matches, starting with a brief appearance off the bench in a 1-0 loss to Wales. Chambers then earned a starting spot in a 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein before playing 32 minutes in the goalless draw with France.
The group leaders were unbeaten in their first two matches, having secured victories over Wales 2-1 and Liechtenstein 7-0 earlier this month before facing Scotland.
Despite the Tartan Army’s strong efforts, they fail to advance to the second qualifying stage, finishing third in their four-team group. A result against France was crucial to keep their hopes alive, but instead, it is France and Wales who move forward in the fight for a spot at next summer’s tournament in Romania.
In an exclusive interview with the YEP, Llew Davies, scouting editor at the prominent youth football publication SCOUTED, praised Chambers’ performance against Wales, saying: “Shown some top ability to slide past players from deeper areas with smooth changes of direction and tempo.
“[He] breaks open games, beats presses, creates positive attacking situations. Suck-push style of dribbling, a little bit [like Jack] Grealish, Emile Smith Rowe, and [Tyler] Dibling.”
Spurs Player Delivers Confident Message for National Team
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s Sweden has been in strong form internationally, securing a 6-0 win over Azerbaijan on Tuesday night.
They remain unbeaten in their last six Nations League matches, with their powerful attacking players helping them outscore most opponents.
While some have questioned Sweden’s strength, given they haven’t qualified for a major final since 2020, Kulusevski remains unfazed.
He highlighted players like Isak, Gyokeres, and Brighton’s Yasin Ayari, believing they all compete at the top level and have youth on their side.
“I have heard that Swedish football is the worst it has ever been; I think quite the opposite,” the Spurs star told Swedish daily Barometer.
“I have heard a lot that Sweden has never been in a worse place, but I don’t think it has ever been better than now.
“The players we have, Gyokeres, Alex, and young players like Yasin, who play at a high level.
“And all young people have age on their side.”
Kulusevski netted twice against Azerbaijan on Tuesday night and will aim to make a similar impact for Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs when they visit Manchester City at the Etihad this Saturday.
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