Keep your questions to Simon Stone coming in!

Just joining us? Simon's already answered queries on tiny shin pads, Crystal Palace and fair play tables. Scroll down for more.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

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Anon: Hi Simon. I'm wondering why there's no mention of Zidane for Liverpool. Mismatch or something else? Thanks.

Simon: It is an interesting one re Zidane. In trophy terms he is one of the most decorated coaches in the game yet he is not viewed in anything like the same way as Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. The major reason for that is he isn’t viewed as a coach. There was a feeling at Real Madrid, he commanded respect in a dressing room of superstars just by being who he is, that he didn’t do that much coaching and the philosophy was a club one – and even that was based around the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo and others. That is simplistic but Klopp moulded a football club in his image. I think Liverpool need someone to continue that and I am not sure Zidane is that man.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

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Ed: Hi Simon, hope all is well. Have you got any further information with Everton and the continued dragging situation with the 777 takeover? Any light you could shed would be amazing.

Simon: I have to admit, it has all gone very quiet. Josh Wander was at the FT Business of Football summit on Thursday and I did try to grab a word with him but he wasn’t so interested in talking. Like everyone else, he is waiting for the Premier League to reach a decision. It has almost been forgotten that it was September when the deal with Farhad Moshiri was struck. For context, Sir Jim Ratcliffe announced his deal with Manchester United on 24 December and that has already been approved. This is not something the Premier League can afford to get wrong, especially with the impending appointment of a Football Regulator hanging over them.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Euan: To Simon. How do you think Brighton will do this year? Not doing well at the moment.

Simon: It’s only a couple of weeks ago I thought Brighton were having a really good season. They appeared to be navigating the additional demands of European football, were still in the FA Cup and pushing for a top eight place – which could get a place in Europe next season. But the Wolves defeat was damaging and the Fulham one was awful. I almost look at the Roma matches as stand-alone games because they are so special in terms of the club’s history. But they are also there to be won. If Brighton reach the quarter-finals, it would be fabulous. If they don’t, I sense a feeling of anti-climax is building and further irritation for Roberto De Zerbi.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

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Lorraine: There seems to be a (fashion?) trend developing of players wearing their socks down near their ankles and incredibly small shin pads. What would a club think if a player gets injured and is unavailable to play for a longer period than if he was wearing better shin pad protection? I find it hard to understand why, in such a leg physical game, players wouldn't want to protect themselves as much as they possibly can to prevent injury - especially long-term.

Simon: I was at the IFAB meeting in Loch Lomond on Saturday and this was mentioned in passing. But the guidance only stated that shin pads should continue to be worn and it was up to the players and the clubs to make sure it happened. I agree with you re injury. The caveat is possibly that at the highest level, there are very few instances of face to face tackles now that the chances of getting serious shin injuries are slim. In my experience, the further down the pyramid you go, the more of these kinds of tackles there are. And clearly, for semi-professional players, the impact of a serious injury is so much greater because it could stop them working.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

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Nick: Hi Simon, A great start for Glasner at Palace followed by a crashing back to reality. What would you expect from him and therefore what expectations can Palace fans hold? Thanks in advance

Simon: Well, given the furore around Roy Hodgson’s departure, the first thing I would expect is a more expansive approach to the game. That has to be combined with results but given how awful Burnley and Sheffield United have been, that Luton are struggling to pick points up and Everton and Forest are both facing charges for breaching Premier League regulations, I would be staggered if Palace end up in a relegation fight. Palace did move in this direction before with Patrick Vieira. Glasner clearly has more experience – and a stronger track record of success, so in theory, the appointment is an exciting one. But, as you alluded to, Palace’s current reality is what it is. Eberechi Eze scored at the weekend. Michael Olise didn’t play. Palace can’t be the attacking force they want to be without those two operating in tandem.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Anon: Hi Simon, Big match next Sunday - Liverpool v Manchester City. Who do you think will win?

Simon: I would prefer to see who is available before answering this properly. I do think City have an advantage in playing their European game at home on Wednesday compared to Liverpool playing away on Thursday, although I couldn’t see Jurgen Klopp risking anyone in Prague. City are starting to hit form – and Liverpool have maintained theirs despite a horrendous run of injuries. On the latter point alone, you would think this has to catch up with Liverpool at some point, so if I had to pick anyone at this stage, it would be City – just. But, as I say, I would prefer to see the teams first.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

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John: What has happened to the quality of referees? Paul Tierney's incredible mistake cost Forest at least a point and added two more points to Liverpool. He is not the only one as standards have dropped. How is Howard Webb going to sidestep this latest calamity?

Simon: So, firstly, I think we need to climb back here. Tierney’s decision did not help Forest but it is wrong to say he cost them a point. Play continued for quite a long time after he had given the ball to Liverpool, it even went out of play. Callum Hudson-Odoi had a chance to clear inside his own penalty area but didn’t and Darwin Nunez could have been marked tighter. These were all bigger factors in Forest conceding that goal. In reality, I suspect the standard of refereeing is higher than it has ever been, but so is the standard and speed of play. And there is no doubt scrutiny on referees is greater than it has ever been as well. I really don’t think it is helpful when all the blame is pinned on one man, in one moment as though he threw the ball into the net. Tierney made a similar decision in the first half, in favour of Forest, so I guess you could say he was being consistent even if it might have been wrong.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

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Chris: Bellingham’s positioning for Real Madrid has thrown a bit of a spanner in the works because if Southgate starts him as our No.10 then that means Philips or Henderson will partner Rice. Or should you drop Bellingham into the No.8 box to box role and unleash Foden as our No.10?

Simon: I remember the days of trying to squeeze Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes into the same England team, so I am quite clear about this. Bellingham should be the number 10. He is one of the best players in the world and should not be compromised. Foden has played wide many times for Manchester City and can do so for England. On current form, Bukayo Saka should be on the other side. I don’t think we have the defenders to operate with one screening midfield player so I would look at Phillips, if he gets his form back, or take a punt on Kobbie Mainoo, who has energy. Rice may need to guide him but he is a leader in every sense apart from wearing the armband.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Lorraine: I've been watching T20 cricket from Pakistan and they have a fair play table where teams get awarded points by the umpires for their good behaviour during matches. Do you think something like this would help improve behaviour on the pitch in football here - especially if it helps remove the 'cheating' element which seems to be evolving in the game?

Simon: This sounds a good idea Lorraine but I am not sure how it would work in football, where contentious incidents happen virtually every minute and there are two sides to every story. I take the Bruno Fernandes situation against Fulham as an example. On the face of it, he went down under minimal contact, stayed down indicating he was injured, then seeing he wasn’t getting anything, jumped to his feet and got on with the game. That’s how the people running Fulham’s TikTok account saw it as well. But Erik ten Hag says he was hurt. And it is not unknown for adrenaline to mask pain. I am not saying which narrative I believe but clearly they both cannot be correct. You could have 10 of those per game, across 10 games per match round in the Premier League alone.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Sam, Stockport: Who do you think is the best player in the Premier League?

Simon: That is really tough. How do you balance the merits of a goalkeeper or a full-back against a striker? I am a huge Declan Rice fan and he could turn out to be the difference between Arsenal fading away in the title race, as they did last season, and really going for it. Allison and Ederson are both excellent. But it always comes down to attacking players doesn’t it. Pep Guardiola clearly thinks Phil Foden. I am sure some Villa fans will say Ollie Watkins. But, to me, it is between four – Haaland, De Bruyne, Salah and Saka. Whoever wins the title is the best.

Right, it's time for that promised question-and-answer session with BBC Sport's Simon Stone.

Plenty of you have already been in touch with questions. We will bring you Simon's answers over the next hour or so.

You can still get on touch with your own question via WhatsApp, text or X using the contact details above.

Remember to include your name and mark any message for the attention of Simon Stone.

Thanks...

What do you think folks?

Would you like to see an England XI with Harry Kane leading the line, backed up by Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden?

Thumbs up for yes, down for no...

John Murray
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

Right now, the front line, if England were playing their first match at the Euros later today, I think you would expect to see Bukayo Saka on the right, probably Phil Foden on the left, Harry Kane through the middle and Jude Bellingham in the number 10 position.

BBC Radio 5 Live

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Commentator John Murray has been on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast this morning to discuss Sunday's Manchester derby.

He was asked about the form of Manchester City's Phil Foden:

“What [Foden’s] doing this season, he’s become an absolute mainstay of this Manchester City team," said Murray. "We’ve always been, it feels, leading to this point and this is his seventh season now. He’s only 23-years-old, but this is his seventh season playing in the Manchester City first team.

"He has always been talked up by Pep Guardiola as being a player who is capable of being where he is now. He’s the man who’s made the most appearances for this Manchester City side this season - that was his 40th appearance. In the Premier League, he has played more minutes than anybody else - that was his 25th start of the season. He’s got 11 goals in the league, seven assists in all competitions. This is his best season, with 18 goals in all competitions.

"But more than that, it’s what he looks like when you actually watch him with the naked eye on the football field and how he excites with the talent that he has.”

Tom: If Southgate goes anywhere near Rashford, Maguire, Sterling, or Philips then I’d seriously consider boycotting the Euros. Fans are also paying thousands so it’s selfish not to play your in-form players.

Image source, Getty Images

Plenty of you have been expressing some pretty strong opinions on who Gareth Southgate should and should not be picking for his Euros squad.

Keep those coming and we will publish a selection throughout the morning.

Of course, we will be given an idea of Southgate's plans when he picks his squad for this month's friendlies against Belgium and Brazil.

Kevin: Foden should be starting for England, as should Saka, Rice, Bellingham and Watkins (along with Kane). But does Southgate have the courage and ability to shape this young squad into a progressive attacking team?

The Daily Star

Another pun from the Star, this time on Erik ten Hag's reaction to a Andy Madley's refereeing display in Sunday's Manchester derby.

Does the Manchester United manager have a point? Should Marcus Rashford have been awarded a free-kick following Kyle Walker's challenge? Should the visitors have been given a penalty for an Ederson foul on Alejandro Garnacho?

Image source, Daily Star