The List | Ten Things We Learnt From The Weekend's International Football - Football News

We normally resent International breaks and given how thrilling the Premier League currently is we dislike this one even more. England never exactly thrill us and there are more moans and groans following a lack-lustre performance from Roy Hodgson’s men.

England aside, there were some crackers for us this weekend with the playoffs well and truly under way and concluding this week. Some mighty big names look like they will be on a beach rather than a pitch this summer in Brazil. With that in mind we have taken a look at ten things we learnt from the International break.



Half way through the playoffs, and not all the usual suspects will be going to Brazil – The likes of the Ivory Coast and Uruguay may have pulled something out the bag for the playoffs, but some sides have been a little bit disappointing. The likes of France and even Portugal may still miss out this summer, with a couple of ties still on a knife edge going into the second leg. Thrilling stuff.

Alexis Sanchez is one hell of a player – One of the most inform players around at the minute, Sanchez showed his class against England on Friday night with a trademark goal. The forward is simply too good to play second fiddle at Barcelona and could well be in line for a big move this summer should the Catalan club fail to finally see his worth.



France need a new generation – After the debacle of their last international failure, you could have been forgiven for thinking that Les Bleu would look to dump the old generation and blood new players. That did not happen, and the mess against Ukraine was the culmination. Changes need to be made and heads need to roll at all levels; players, coaches and governing bodies. What a shambles from a once great side.



Should John Terry be on the plane to Brazil? - He may not be everyone’s cup of tea as a person, and that is putting it very mildly, but there is an argument to bring JT back into the fold. He is enjoying some of the best form we have seen in years and is certainly relishing Mourinho being home. The mistake Gary Cahill made has further highlighted the situation and led to calls for the defenders return.



England will not be lifting the World Cup baring divine intervention – Unless a Chelsea’s road to Munich type scenario occurs, England will not come home from Brazil as winners. Not only are there a list of teams as long as Messi’s trophy haul that are better, but even if there weren’t the attitude and want is simply not there.



Ronaldo or Ibra will be missing out – Two of the best players in the world, but only one will be in Rio come the summer – as a player that is. At the minute, that looks like being Cristiano Ronaldo, but we are sure that Ibra has saved some magic for the second leg tomorrow night. Even if Zlatan fails to make the World Cup as a player, there will be no shortage of TV stations looking to take him on as a pundit.



Luis Sua rez will be on display to all his suitors – Uruguay recorded a predictable win against Jordan and will be going to Brazil. This means that star man Luis Suarez will be available for all to see in all his glory. Liverpool may keep him this winter, but after the summer and a predictably eventful World Cup for the forward, it's unlikely he'll be wearing their shirt this time next season.



No English fan enjoys the international break – In the least shocking news since hearing Cristiano Ronaldo scored yet again, it has been brought to our attention that the majority of England fans do not enjoy international breaks. We would much rather get back to domestic action, and given the strength of the Premier League this season, who can blame us?



FIFA curse strikes again – Yes, certain sides had to feature in the playoffs, but for the teams who only had pointless friendlies, there is still the argument that the risk of injury is too great for a top players to participate. Yet again, a couple of serious injuries occurred, and you can’t really blame clubs for wanting their star players to pull out of irrelevant games to protect their fitness.



Khedira’s injury has given three clubs an almighty headache – The midfielder is out for the rest of the season, and may miss the World Cup. This means that Real are without one of their most consistent performers, and both David Moyes and Jose Mourinho need to look elsewhere this winter. The German was odds on for a move to the Premier League, with both Chelsea and United seeing him as a top target. Not anymore.

Let us know what you thought of this weekend's international games? Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.