Vamsi Vivek Teja

Hi, Is Benzema career over at Real Madrid? I ask this because he has not been playing well since last season. Has this got anything to do with the position France find themselves in right now?

Guardian staff

Zidane (asst manager) loves Benzema. Zidane has a fairly big say. January would be an illogical time for Real to sell as they would have to buy a brilliant, ready-to-play striker at the same time. Don't think Benzema's Real Madrid career is over at all.


Hi Amy,

Apologies for being off-topic but unfortunately we’re unable to comment on the Rumour Mill*. I’m a bit concerned about today’s rumour that Berba might be sold to Barcelona. Do you know anything more about the deal? If it’s true? What the offer is? Is it cash or just a straight swap for Messi? I need to know.

*Do you have any idea why this is?

Guardian staff

Can't shed any light but I would say the clue is in the title 'rumour mill'. Maybe don't take it too seriously just yet. You sound very concerned!


Do you think its counterproductive to talk about penalty shootouts all the time! The World Cup draw hasn't been made yet and the English media are already worrying about it. It's no wonder we never win them the players are probably petrified already.

Guardian staff

Not sure we talk about it all the time... But it is understandable that it carries weight as a topic considering how often it has been the downfall of the England team in tournaments. You can practice in training as much as you like, but preparing for that personal pressure is almost impossible.


Who are the perceived troublemakers within the France squad? I assume Evra given some of the comments he has had for others recently but am interested to know which other players are seen as those causing problems.

Guardian staff

Evra, Benzema, Ribery and Nasri are the ones with the most baggage.


Amy, is anyone in the media calling for Tom 'The Hair' Huddlestone to be in the squad? His had a great season so far and is the only other Carrick type player we have in England which i feel we really need otherwise its just backwards and side to side

Guardian staff

I haven't heard a groundswell of support for him. It's possible that Hodgson will plan to use Wilshere in a more defensive midfield role (Wenger is increasingly convinced that is his best position) which would free up a more no10 style position for someone like Ross Barkley.


Baines or Cole at left-back – and why?

Guardian staff

Cole. Only just. Because he is still a very fine left back.


Amy, do you play football, for a women's team? If so how are you doing this season?

Guardian staff

Knees. No good. (No great loss to women's football I might add). I did once get to play at Wembley in a press game, but I wasn't allowed to go in the dressing rooms to change like everyone else. The old FA chief executive, Graham Kelly, wouldn't allow it, so I had to change in the ladies loos.


On a general level, what's the solution to France? If they fail to turn it around tonight, are we going to see a massive purge of the older stars in preparation for building a team for 2016? And who would take on the responsibility of managing them? I can't see Garcia or Girard taking the job at the moment. Whisper it quietly, but... could Wenger be tempted?

Guardian staff

If it does blow up, there are certain critics who are very keen to see the back of the perceived troublemakers. But the problem with a purge is that they are arguably the most prestigious players and not even approaching 30 yet. It would take a brave coach to kick them out.

But there are some highly encouraging youngsters. Pogba, in particular, is blossoming into quite a player. M'Vila and Griezmann should also be part of the new order.


Do you think Dave Reddin will have an impact when he starts working with England after Christmas? He only has two days with England before their Denmark friendly. You can't surely hope to change a team's psychology in two days!

Guardian staff

It's possible he will work with players outside of England get togethers. Why not? Players have plenty of free time and if they are willing, and he is, then there is the prospect of some extra individual time to prepare ahead of the World Cup.

His ideas can't be a bad thing, and sometimes, if someone hits the right notes, they can make a big impression quickly.


From a purely subjective point of view, who would you rather have at the World Cup? Ibrahimovic and Sweden or Ronaldo and Portugal? I suppose it's Ibrahimovic's last chance to perform at a World Cup, and it would be great to see him finally do so. On the other hand, Ronaldo is perhaps the best player in the world and in his absolute prime. I think there'd be the exciting prospect of one incredible player dragging an otherwise average team all the way to the final.

Guardian staff

You make a fair argument for both of them. Personally, I love watching Zlatan, and even though Sweden were unimpressive at the last major finals, he was outstanding.

I wonder if the Brazilians would sooner host Ronaldo or Zlatan?


Hi Amy. I'd like to know what you think of Andros Townsend in the England squad. He's recieved a huge amount of praise this season, but I've watched a lot of Tottenham so far and I'm not impressed in the slightest. He seems incapable of actually thinking whatsoever, and just repeating the same "cut-inside" and shoot, and his shot-to-goal ratio is awful too. Surely if he's to go to the World Cup, any half-decent team would neutralise him with minimal effort. Is his useful period over now we've finished with the lower quality stage of this tournament?

Guardian staff

He's still at such an early part of his career development, it's hard to be too judgemental at this stage. Clearly helping the team to qualify stands for something - it will be harder for an alternative newcomer to convince Hodgson to the same degree as Townsend did it in a high pressure competitive environment. That counts for something.


How important are these friendliest so far in advance of the event?

Guardian staff

Once a team qualifies, the psychology changes completely. It may still be several months away but players to an extent already have a tournament head on. It all begins to feel real - especially once the draw is made next month.


I'll be watching the France v Ukraine game. Can't believe France are in danger of not making the finals with so much talent to call on.

Guardian staff

The game in Kiev was a perfect example of players playing as individuals and not as a team. Thereby hangs one of their most maddening problems. There are some egos that still dominate, and since the crisis in South Africa they have found it incredibly hard to manage the dressing room. The problem is the players with the biggest personalities happen to be important players, so not so easy to shift.


Hi Amy. Do you secretly hope Lallana has a stinker and gets hammered by the press, completely destroying his confidence? I only ask because of Arsenal's tricky fixture at the weekend.

Guardian staff

You might well hope that. I couldn't possibly...


Who would be your ideal qualifiers from tonight's games? I think it's something of a loss to not have France at any major tournament; always good for a bit of drama!

Guardian staff

France, Iceland, Zlatan, Greece


Amy, has everybody who you think is likely to be included in the England squad been given a chance now? Is there anybody who you think will play themselves into the squad with an amazing second half of the season, like a surprise Theo Walcott from 2006?

Guardian staff

Ravel Morrison looks the obvious wild card. Let's see how he goes between now and new year...


If France get knocked out by Ukraine tonight, will that be a good thing?

Guardian staff

Having had the fortune of following France around several tournaments, one thing is guaranteed: it's never dull.

Ukraine are much improved, are impressively organised these days with a couple of mavericks, but overall France would probably be more of a loss to the tournament than Ukraine (apologies to J Wilson)


Hi Amy. If France fail to qualify, does that necessarily mean Deschamps will get the chop? And if so, who could the FFF turn to? I doubt Garcia and Wenger would want to leave club football just yet.

Guardian staff

I was fairly amazed to hear from a French colleague that there is a big Zidane lobby gathering pace behind the scenes. The idea of Zizou, the face of 98, being the spiritual leader for the 2016 Euro on home soil is a pretty big leap in terms of coaching, even if it's understandable why some might be swayed by the sentiment.

Wenger? Maybe if he was free coming into 2016, but I can't see him even considering two years of friendlies. He would go out of his mind with boredom.

Garcia? Agree it is too soon for him with things going so well at Roma.


These Germans have been incredibly gracious about England. They're a far superior team however so you'd expect them to win. HOWEVER it's a friendly, so for all those who got their knickers in a twist with their doom and gloom after the Chile match, need to realize that random results can happen. England did beat Brazil at Wembley after all. Just don't read to much into it if they do win.

Guardian staff

Very reasonable. These games are more valuable for Hodgson to make decisions about players and see which combinations work than results. Although naturally knicker twisting cannot easily be stopped.


What do you make of the reports saying Benzema will start in place of Giroud? Am I the only one who thinks they would make an excellent partnership? I know it would necessitate a change of their formation but... so what? Do France really need to play someone in the 'Nasri' position (making countless two-yard passes that go nowhere)?

Guardian staff

Looks like a last throw of the dice move from Deschamps selecting Benzema. Although he has been the more in form player for his club in the couple of weeks leading up to the game, he has strained for composure and confidence with France. Deschamps needed to change something - or rather, a lot - after the first game in Kiev.

He has tried both Benzema and Giroud a few times but they didn't click.


After watching the first leg of Portugal v Sweden, I can't believe Portugal are again favourites to beat Sweden. Has there ever been a team that has been more reliant on one player than Portugal? The rest of the team were average at best. I'm fully expecting to see Sweden qualify now and it would be a travesty if they don't. The cameramen need something to focus on in breaks of play.

Guardian staff

There are some tasty offerings here from Seb Larsson which suggests Sweden will be intent on, how to put this, denying space to Portugal.

"We have an English referee now so we can probably go in a bit harder," said Sunderland player Larsson. "I do not think he is going to fall for the same tricks so easily."

Cristiano Ronaldo headed Portugal's late winner in the first leg, but the Real Madrid forward also won a number of free-kicks.
"Howard Webb is used to refereeing where the game is a little more physical," added Larsson. "He's a great referee, too, which is important for such a big game."

Interested to see how Sweden find the balance between going for it and not being too open to Ronaldo on the break.

Here's the link: Sweden v Portugal preview


Good afternoon Amy. Don't you think England should play a high pressing style of football in the same way that Southampton do? I think it would unsettle and surprise alot of teams.

Guardian staff

For some reason England tend to look so tired by the time they get to summer tournaments, the idea of them playing a high tempo pressing game might be too much of a challenge. A winter break would definitely help England to be fresher come tournament time. I hope Greg Dyke and his pals give that some serious thought.

broonoo asks:

Amy! I've got a free day! What games should I be watching today and when are they on?

Guardian staff

You could watch Gibraltar's first ever international (a friendly v Slovakia) out of pure curiosity. Danny Higginbotham is making his international debut for Gibraltar.

I'm watching France-Ukraine, assuming I can figure out how to. All the other European play offs have plenty of intrigue, though.

Tonight the Guardian will have streams of three matches:

Romania v Greece
Croatia v Iceland
France v Ukraine

And minute by minute coverage of three matches:

England v Germany
Sweden v Portugal
France v Ukraine


doncobaino asks:

Do England fans actually think that Germany considers them rivals? Us neutrals do find it quite amusing when the national media try and talk England up as Germany's rivals. They're not even close.

Guardian staff

I'm not convinced most England fans would be thinking along those lines. Apart from the fact it's a dicey business to try to generalise too much about fans as there is a colourful spectrum within that broad brush, there is quite often a distinction between what fans think and what the media portray. Actually, I'm not even sure how many of the media would pretend that England are on the level of Germany at the moment/in recent tournaments.

Amy will be online from 12pm

Good morning,

Amy will be online from midday, but in the meantime here are some of our international football previews:

England will have a clearer picture of their position after Germany

Roy Hodgson is more interested in on-pitch relationships between players than worrying about Germany's visit, writes Daniel Taylor

Steven Gerrard: England have improved since 4-1 beating

• Captain says side is 'stronger' than one thrashed at World Cup
• Nine changes made for friendly against Joachim Löw's team

Swedish World Cup hopes rest on Zlatan Ibrahimovic

• Conditions in Stockholm may conspire against Portugal
• Hosts hope their talisman can outdo Cristiano Ronaldo

Joachim Löw: resting Germany players is not disrespectful
• Manager says Wembley friendly is chance for him to test squad
• Löw full of praise for 'fantastic coach' Roy Hodgson

And here are some of our other football stories today:

Beautiful Games: total football exposed
Football transfer rumours: Dimitar Berbatov to Barcelona?
The Austrian footballer who stood up to the match-fixers – or did he?

Amy will be online from midday. Enjoy the webchat.