Jose Mourinho Keen On A Chelsea Spree

Jose Mourinho was unveiled as Real Madrid boss on Monday – and refused to rule out a raid on Chelsea for Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard.

‘The Special One’ quit Inter Milan to sign a four-year contract at the Bernabeu and wants to make at least three new signings.

He has always wanted to be reunited with Lampard since their days together at Chelsea and now has the spending power to make a serious bid.

Cole’s future at Stamford Bridge is also in doubt after wife Cheryl filed for divorce. He is another player Mourinho admires.

The new Real boss did his best to play down talk of a swoop yesterday but could not resist throwing the names of both men into the mix.

Mourinho said: “It’s normal people ask about players such as Ashley Cole or Frank Lampard. They are former players of mine and I always have good relations with them.

“But I don’t like to talk about players because their prices will go up if I do! We need three or four players to give us flexibility in the way we might play, but I predict a quiet summer.

“We need small adjustments. We have clear profiles of the type of players we need and these are more important than names.”

Mourinho claims he wants to win everything with Real, and insists his first job will be to tame former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portugal winger was Madrid’s best player last season, but Mourinho warned him he will have to get to grips with a new team ethic from now on.

Mourinho said: “I understand that Ronaldo is an important player for Real and for the world of football, but my players must understand that the most important thing is the club.

“Cristiano likes to win, so if he likes to win it is not difficult to persuade him the most important thing is not the coach or the players but the club.

“If we all work as a group, we will get results. I like to give myself a challenge and this is a big one. I have a lot of confidence in myself and my ability as a coach.

“I want this group to have an identity, to win everything.”

Mourinho won back-to-back titles and the Champions League with Inter, who got nearly £7m compensation from Real for him.

He added: “I don’t change my level of ambition or motivation. I gave everything to every club where I have been. I will do the same here. I don’t feel any kind of different pressure.

“I am a coach that improves day by day. I arrive with everything a coach can win at club football.”

“I don’t know if I was born to coach Real Madrid, but I was born to be a football coach. I am Jose Mourinho and I don’t change.

“I arrive with all my qualities and defects.

“My attraction to Real is due to its history, its frustrations in recent years and its expectations to win.

“It’s a unique club and I believe that not to coach Real leaves a void in a coach’s career.

“Luckily, I’ve had a beautiful career and it makes me proud to have come here.”

Ashley Cole: England Are Good Enough To Win The World Cup

Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole believes that England are capable of winning the World Cup this summer in South Africa.

The 29-year-old and the rest of the Three Lions final World Cup squad will fly to Johannesburg on Tuesday and Cole is adamant that the team’s sole ambition in South Africa is to win the tournament and be crowned world champions for the second time.

"I think we can win it and that's what we're going there to do,” Cole told The Mirror.

"I'm not going to say we ARE going to win the World Cup but I am willing to say we're good enough to win it.

"If you look at players like Stevie G, Lamps, Rio and Rooney, we have some great players in that team.

"And so, if we all play well on the day and have a bit of luck, you never know."

Despite shaky victories in warm-up matches against Mexico and Japan, England is confident that they will be playing their best when they open their World Cup against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.

In addition to USA, England are matched with Slovenia and Algeria in Group C, leaving the Three Lions as the heavy favourites to win the group.

With a possible quarter-final match-up against France, who struggled to a 1-1 draw against Tunisia on Sunday, Cole acknowledged that England gained a favourable draw, avoiding some of the top teams in the early stages.

"When the draw was made, I think there were a few teams we'd have liked to have missed - and we managed to miss them.

"What's important is that we're not over-confident and I don't think we are going to be going into the competition.

"But we feel that if we play as well as we can, to our capabilities, I don't think we'll have a problem at all."

The Chelsea star has been a mainstay for England at the last two World Cups and could break Bobby Moore and Terry Butcher’s record for finals appearances for a Three Lions defender if he appears in five games in South Africa.

Terry: Defensive Improvement Needed

John Terry believes tightening up a suspect defence is the key to England's World Cup hopes.

England have conceded set-piece goals to both Mexico and Japan during recent warm-up victories ahead of the tournament in South Africa.

Coach Fabio Capello has rotated his defenders during the two games with Terry, skipper Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher, Ledley King, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines and Glen Johnson all seeing game time.

That has led to a lack of stability which former captain Terry believes will be vital if England are to succeed in South Africa.

"The manager had stressed in the week that with the pace we have, the quality we have going forward, we're always going to create chances and score goals," said the Chelsea captain.

"It's up to us to keep it tight at the back. The goal we conceded against Mexico, and a couple of set-plays, are things we'll have to work on.

"But if we can keep it tight at the back, then we've got enough quality going forward which means we can always get a goal."

Terry and Ferdinand are set to start the tournament as Capello's first-choice central defensive partnership, with Cole and Johnson operating as attacking full-backs.

"It's been a while since we've played together as a back four," added Terry.

"Obviously I know Ashley and also Johnson from his Chelsea days, but myself and Rio have got a good understanding so when we slot in alongside each other, we know each other's game well enough."

Fabio Capello To Persist With Steven Gerrard And Frank Lampard Pairing

Fabio Capello is well aware the trouble past England managers have had trying to get Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard playing in tandem – but it will not stop him starting them in the centre of midfield for the World Cup opener against the USA.

The conundrum of how to get the best from England’s finest two attacking midfielders proved beyond Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren.

Capello discovered the answer, shifting the Liverpool captain to a role on the left which allowed him to drift in.

Yet he looks set to turn the clock back because of the ankle injury to Gareth Barry, a certain starter in the centre of midfield if fit.

‘I know the history,’ said Capello. ‘This is a big question for you always? Can’t play together? Probably both were too young. That was a joke. I hope that they can play together.’

Capello was impressed when the pair played together in the second half of Sunday’s 2-1 friendly win against Japan and the Italian added: ‘Good players can move positions.

'Frank and Steve are used to going forward because they have a holding player alongside them. If they play together, one will have to stay.’

Captain Rio Ferdinand also believes the pair can play alongside each other.

He said: ‘They both did it against Japan. It worked well and we looked very dangerous.’

Capello will receive the latest medical bulletin on Barry this morning.

He expects to be told the Manchester City man will be fit to train immediately after the USA game, meaning he will make his 23-man squad.

Deco Heading Out On A High

Deco is hoping his last World Cup will be one to remember for his adopted nation of Portugal, even if it means defeating his country of birth on the way.

The 32-year-old was born and bred in Brazil before switching to Portugal and Benfica in 1997, eventually taking up citizenship after impressing at Porto.

The man who picked him for Portugal, Luiz Felipe Scolari, was the same man who had ignored him while Brazil coach, and has since admitted his regret at never picking the diminutive playmaker.

Deco scored on his Portuguese debut in a friendly against the Brazilians, and now prepares to face them in a competitive environment for the first time, having been drawn together in Group G alongside Ivory Coast and North Korea.

'It is not hard to play against Brazil, but it is different,' the midfielder told the Official Chelsea Website. 'Of course they are my home country and it is special. This is the first time I have played them in the World Cup, but I have played before in friendlies.

'Most of my family are pushing for me, they are in Brazil, they live in Brazil, but they are pushing for me. But of course Brazil will be favourites against us.

'A country that has won the World Cup five times will always be the favourite.'

But what of his own side's chances in South Africa?

'We have a strong team with great players,' he explained, before commenting on the importance of one Cristiano Ronaldo to the side's chances. 'We have a player who is one of the best in the world, if not the very best. In relation to World Cup 2006 this team has more quality.'

Then, Portugal finished fourth after semi-final defeat to France, but is he sure this tournament will be his final international involvement, with qualifying for Euro 2012 only just around the corner?

'Yes it is my last tournament, definitely,' he smiled. 'It is because I need to have more time for my family. For me it will be the last World Cup and I hope to be remembered positively.

'I feel a certain nostalgia, I spent great years so far, made great friends, I was really well received. The [international] selection was where I felt at home, that encouraged me a lot. [After] almost eight years, I am very happy.'

Rooney Key To Manchester United's Bid For Joe Cole

Today's Manchester Evening News speculates that not only is Manchester United chasing Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, but that a World Cup link up with Wayne Rooney could be critical in securing a move to Old Trafford.

Cole is out of contract at Chelsea and has yet to agree a new deal, with the Stamford Bridge club reluctant to meet his wage demands. The 28-year-old has also found it difficult to hold down a regular first-team place in Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Cole is set to become a free agent and although it appears that Harry Redknapp is the favourite to sign the midfielder for Tottenham, the Manchester Evening News claims that Sir Alex Ferguson is "desperate" to bring him to Manchester United.

Apparently, Ferguson is particularly keen on utilizing Cole's versatility. He is able to play in central midfield, out wide, or just off a striker as he did yesterday with Wayne Rooney during England's 2-1 friendly win over Japan.

The Manchester Evening News speculates that should Cole and Manchester United striker Rooney form a good understanding during the World Cup, it will significantly boost the chances of Cole's arrival at Old Trafford.

The local newspaper also claims that Ferguson's unrivaled track record of winning trophies at Manchester United will be an advantage to attract Cole ahead of the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham.

Arsenal & Tottenham Hotspur Now Lead Race To Sign Chelsea Forward Joe Cole

Joe Cole is now wanted by Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur when his Chelsea contract expires in a few days' time, with interest from Manchester United having cooled, according to a report from The Daily Mail.

The playmaker, expected to be named in Fabio Capello's final 23-man party for the World Cup later on Tuesday, has been linked with a clutch of England's top clubs this summer.

Chelsea are currently reportedly pursuing Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun, a player whose arrival would cast serious doubts over Cole's future at Stamford Bridge.

With no further overtures from the Blues regarding a new deal, it now appears that a move across London is on the cards for Cole, with the north of the capital looking his likely destination.

Chelsea Striker Franco Di Santo A Cut-Price Target For Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle is weighing up a bargain move for Chelsea outcast Franco Di Santo, according to reports.

The giant Argentinean striker spent last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers and is understood to be surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge. Despite only scoring one Premier League goal for their Lancashire rivals, Bolton are set to compete with Dutch champions FC Twente to secure his signature, say The People.

The former youth international has struggled to feature for Chelsea since joining from Chilean outfit Audax Italiano two years ago, making just eight scoreless league appearances.

With Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka ahead of him in the pecking order, along with youngsters Fabio Borini and Daniel Sturridge, first team chances would be severely limited again next season.

My Favourite Games: Petr Cech

Today we launch a new feature for the summer, where Chelsea players tell us about their favourite matches played in, and watched.

First up is number one, Petr Cech, who with the absence of World Cup action this summer will have the opportunity to take in plenty more games on TV.

The goalkeeper has hundreds to pick from for his favourite game ever played but the most enjoyable match he ever watched may have slipped many fans' minds, despite its nine goals and two red cards.

It was a meeting in 2001 between a team from the banks of the Mersey and a lesser-known Spanish side.

When Liverpool reached the Uefa Cup Final nine years ago, not many expected their opponents Alaves to compete against a side with such impressive credentials in Europe.

But the game that unfolded is one of the most memorable clashes in recent times and it took Liverpool until stoppage time, and a fifth goal, to seal victory after Alaves came back from being 2-0, 3-1 and 4-3 down to force extra-time.

That's when experience shone through for the eventual winners after Alaves had two men sent off and Liverpool's nerves held to net the winner, albeit indirectly, when Delfi Geli deflected a Gary McAllister corner into his own net.

'It is hard to choose my favourite game to watch because there were a few games I loved watching,' explained the shot-stopper, 'but one of them is definitely the Uefa Cup Final when Liverpool beat Alaves in 2001, it finished 5-4. It was such a great game.
'It must have been a great game to play in as well because the game was changing every minute, nine goals in a final is great.

'Nobody ever expected Alaves to be in the final of the Uefa Cup but they came so close and they really fought for the glory but it was one of those games. They scored four goals but it was not enough.'

Cech's favourite game to play in is another match which unfolded on the European stage and is a game that remains vivid in many Chelsea fans' minds.

Reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League is never easy, but in 2005 Chelsea overcame one of the biggest obstacles in club football when we hosted Barcelona at the Bridge.

At the time everyone, neutrals and fans alike, expected a phenomenal game of football but no one could have predicted the entertainment that unfolded.

Chelsea raced into a three-goal lead thanks to strikes from Eidur Gudjohnsen, Frank Lampard and Damien Duff but when Paulo Ferreira handled in the area, Barcelona were given the chance to pull one back.

Ronaldhino converted the spot-kick to make it 3-1 before a magical flick from the edge of the box by the Brazilian made it two for the visitors.

But a John Terry header 14 minutes from time sealed the win for Chelsea as we went on to the quarter-finals of the competition.

'My favourite game I ever played is definitely the Chelsea v Barcelona second leg in 2005, when we won 4-2 and made it through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League,' Cech explains.

'This was simply a great game to watch for everyone and it was a great game to play in and be involved in.

'For neutral fans and fans following the teams it was a brilliant game of football with a lot of chances, a lot of goals and a lot of great football and the atmosphere was outstanding.

'We were 3-0 up then it went to 3-2 before we got the winner, so it was full of emotions.

'The emotions of everyone on the pitch were changing constantly and we all worked so hard for the result. There were some fantastic goals also. It was just a very special game.'

Father Of John Terry Spared Jail For Drug Deal

The father of England and Chelsea defender John Terry was spared jail on Tuesday for supplying cocaine to an undercover reporter after a judge said he was a victim of entrapment.

Edward Terry, the 56-year-old father of the former England captain, admitted supplying 3.5 grammes of the drug to the journalist from the News of the World when he appeared before magistrates last month.

"Employees of a national newspaper decided to mount what was in effect a sting operation against Mr. Terry to ascertain whether he could or would supply class A drugs," prosecutor Paul Scothern told Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday.

The court heard the reporter, Dan Sanderson, had befriended Terry at a wine bar he frequented near his home in Essex, over a six-week period.

On November 5 last year, Sanderson, who was posing as a chauffeur, asked Terry where he could buy cocaine for his boss and his friend.

Terry said he could supply it and agreed a fee of 120 pounds while he also asked for 40 pounds for facilitating the deal. He left the bar and returned about 15 minutes later with the cocaine, the Press Association reported.

"Mr. Terry would not have acted in the way he did and committed this offence but for being enticed by the journalist who befriends Mr. Terry, meets with him on a couple of dozen occasions at the minimum, simply for a tabloid story," Terry's lawyer Neil Saunders said.

Terry was sentenced to a suspended prison term of six months and ordered to do 100 hours of community service.

"It is a very, very clear case of entrapment solely to create a newspaper story," said Judge Christopher Mitchell.

John Terry, 29, was stripped of the England captaincy in February following newspaper reports about his private life.

Arsenal Consider Signing Chelsea Playmaker Joe Cole

Arsenal has inquired about the possibility of signing Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole on a free transfer, according to a report from The Daily Mail.

The playmaker has also apparently been courted by Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur who, like current club Chelsea, have been dissuaded from offering Cole a deal by his reported £120,000-a-week wage demands.

But the Gunners are still interested, according to the report, as are Manchester United.

Cole, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of June, is expected to hold further talks this week with potential suitors.

Juventus Playmaker Diego Rejects Chelsea Link

Juventus midfielder Diego has distanced himself from recent reports claiming that he is a summer transfer target for Chelsea.

The Brazilian instead has insisted that he remains committed to Juventus, where he wants to help make amends for what was a disappointing season for the Serie-A giants.

“Me move away from Juventus? No, I won’t be going,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I made a choice a year ago, and I don’t change my ideas just because the season was bad. But the club must think the same, as if I stay without playing it is not a good investment for anyone."

The 25-year-old signed a five-year deal with Juventus last summer after moving from Werder Bremen in a deal worth just over £20 million (€24.5m).

Chelsea Target Shakhtar Donetsk Full-Back Darijo Srna

Chelsea has made Shakhtar Donetsk's Croatian international Darijo Srna a summer transfer target, according to reports.

The 28-year-old, who can play in midfield but is predominantly an attacking full-back, is apparently hoping to complete a switch before pre-season training starts at Stamford Bridge.

He is valued at around £14 million, but is in the final year of his contract with Shakhtar and so could be available for less. Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur are also believed to be in the hunt for the player.

"The deal is not done yet," Srna is reported as saying.

"I must get together with the Shakhtar president as we cannot discuss such matters over the phone."

Chelsea To Sign Benayoun To Replace Cole

Rumours are gathering pace that Chelsea will sign Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun this summer as a replacement for Joe Cole who will be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge.

It has been reported that the Reds have already rejected a £4million bid from Chelsea for the Israel international and are believed to be holding out for £6million.

Talks with Cole's representative over a new deal are believed to have broken down and he has been linked with a summer switch to Tottenham Hotspur.

Cole has struggled to break into Carlo Ancelotti's first-team plans since recovering from serious injury.

Benayoun, who has also been linked with West Ham United and Spurs, said last week while on international duty: "Ancelotti wants me for next season and now everything depends on Liverpool.

"Chelsea will have to pay some £6million but, I believe that, in the end, I'll be moving there."

Thirty-year-old Benayoun has scored 29 goals in 81 starts and 53 substitute appearances for Rafa Benitez's team in the last three seasons.

Yaya Toure Favours Move To Chelsea

Want-away Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure is believed to favour a move to Chelsea this summer, despite interest from Manchester City and Arsenal.

The 27-year-old, who signed a new contract last season, is ready to quit the Camp Nou after failing to hold down a first-team place last season, according to the Daily Mail.

The Ivorian’s brother, Kolo, currently plays for Manchester City, but the robust defensive midfielder still appears to prefer a move to west London after already ruling himself out of any possible swap deal involving Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas going in the opposite direction.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola and outgoing president Joan Laporta insist Toure is a valued member of the playing staff, but the former Monaco player is not prepared to play second fiddle to Sergio Busquets and the attempted signing of Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal could limit his opportunities even further.

Guardiola would like to keep Toure at the Nou Camp, but because of the player’s preference for first-team football, Barcelona could let him leave if the suitable offer surfaces.

Chelsea was reported to have already had a £17 million bid for the player rejected by the Catalan giants.

Manchester City officials reportedly met with Toure at the end of last week and are said to have also discussed a £17m offer.

Paulo Ferreira: Portugal Can Do 'Something Beautiful' At The 2010 World Cup

Chelsea right back Paulo Ferreira has declared that Portugal can go all the way at the upcoming World Cup if they negotiate their so-called 'group of death'.

Carlos Quieroz's side has been drawn against Brazil, the Ivory Coast and North Korea in one of the toughest groups at the tournament. After struggling to qualify for the trip to South Africa, Portugal will receive a boost if they make it to the knockout stages.

Speaking to Chelsea's official website, Ferreira believed his nation can get to at least the semi-final stage at the competition if they concentrate on progressing beyond the opening round.

"People in Portugal are always asking what do you think when we reach the quarter-finals, can we reach the semi-finals?" Ferreira said.

"We have a good team, we have top players and we can do something beautiful in this competition but we have first to think about the group stage because sometimes when you put the expectation too high, the worst can happen.

"We need first to think about the group stage and then anything can happen."

Terry Big On Joe

John Terry is hoping club team-mate Joe Cole will be joining him on the plane to South Africa as Fabio Capello prepares to name his 23-man England squad for the World Cup.

Terry, along with fellow Chelsea men Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard are sure to start England's first game of the finals against USA on June 12, but playmaker Joe is less assured of his place, despite an impressive second-half showing against Japan on Sunday.

Speaking after the game, Terry was full of praise for the 28-year-old, who missed the start of the 2009/10 campaign through injury.

'On a personal level with Joe he's been great for Chelsea towards the end of the season as well so I'm delighted to see him given the chance,' he said.

'He causes defenders all sorts of problems when he floats in between the midfield and the front men and can pick the passes - you've seen with the ball through to Ash as well, so he's made a big impact and we'll have to wait and see.'

Terry suffered a knock on his calf during the game in Austria, England's last friendly before heading out to South Africa.

Other Chelsea men still have plenty of action before the tournament kicks off however, with no fewer than eight friendlies still to come involving Stamford Bridge-based players. You will, of course, be able to keep up with their progress here on our special dedicated World Cup page.

Ballack: Nobody From Chelsea Has Talked To Me About A New Contract

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has rejected reports he is in contract talks with the club and is uncertain where he will be playing next season.

The injured German international midfielder's deal with the Blues runs out this summer and he has yet to be offered fresh terms. Despite being eager to extend his four-year stay, he has accepted Chelsea's decision to leave negotiations on hold.

Speaking to the News of the World, Ballack said: "I am not having talks with Chelsea right now. We spoke in February and March but they put everything on ice with every player and that is still the situation.

"It's not easy but I am just a player so I accept this. I respect the club and I want to carry on at this club.

"But at the moment nobody has talked to me."

Ballack made 32 Premier League appearances last season, proving an important cog as the club won the first league and cup double in its history.

Asian Star: Two More Impress

Two more winners were announced in our Asian Soccer Star search on Monday, completing the Cobham-based competition for another year.

Ahsanuallah Nawazi in the Under 12s and Yusuf Ali in the Under 13s both received an invitation to return to our Surrey training ground later in the summer for a week-long trial in the Chelsea Academy, and are pictured with Brendan Batson MBE and musician Jaz Dhami, who have both supported the campaign.

Also pictured is last year's Under 12 winner A'ameer Kstantin Murphy, who has earned a place in Leyton Orient's Academy as a result of his endeavours at Chelsea.

Ahsanuallah, a striker, likens himself to Wayne Rooney due to his fast play and lack of height. He attributed today's success to a pair of borrowed socks, which will now become his lucky pair.

Yusuf, a midfielder, was delighted to emerge victorious on a day when a number approaching 200 hopefuls took part in the trials.

'I am shocked, I didn't know I was going to win it,' he said. 'There were some other really good players but people were telling me I was going to win.

'I'm a skilful player and good at dribbling and passing,' he said , before admitting to being an Arsenal fan.

Former Arsenal, Cambridge and West Brom defender Brendan Batson was taking in the action in his role as an ambassador for the FA, for whom he is aiming to help raise the numbers of ethnic minorities involved in football, particularly the coaching side. He believes Chelsea's campaign is a superb idea.

'This is a really good initiative, and I know other clubs are looking at doing the same. I think it sends out a great message to the Asian community that football wants to invite them into the game.

'Talent is a limited resource and clubs are scouting worldwide looking for talent, so there should be no reason why if lads start playing young enough that they can't break through. It is a real mystery why we haven't seen in the Asian community what has happened before with black players.

'I came to England as a nine-year-old and had never played it, it just so happened I fell in with a group of lads who played football and was lucky enough to have a half-decent career in the professional game.'

He identified the importance of starting to play young enough as a potential barrier.

'I do a lot of stuff with the FA to find the barriers preventing Asian youth from getting through. There are some issues to address and football has to be mindful of that,' he said.

'One of the big problems is maybe not starting to play young enough, they say you need 10,000 hours to reach the top of any profession, whether it's sport or the arts or anything, so unless you start at a young age, you are falling behind your peers.

'At a club like Chelsea the standard is very high, and these sorts of things can only help. It is good to see so many parents here because at a young age kids need parental support.'

So after a long weekend of footballing tests and matches, the competition draws to a close for another year, but has hopefully once again created a pathway for Asian youngsters to get into the game.

The six lucky winners from the three days will return over the summer, and we will have news when it arrives of how they fare.

Internationals: Clifford Nets Again

Conor Clifford scored the winner for the second time in as many games for Republic of Ireland's Under 19s on Monday.

The Chelsea youth team captain, who also netted the winning goal in the FA Youth Cup at the beginning of the month, ended it with a penalty against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Ukraine this afternoon.

The midfielder, who also skippers his international side, scored the game's only goal against the hosts of this Uefa European Under-19 Championship qualifier on Saturday, and this penalty also proved decisive, though Ireland did not qualify for the finals in France.

That was because England earned a 1-1 draw against Ukraine to claim top spot in the group, thanks to a late equalizer from Tottenham's Dean Parrett. Chelsea man Jacob Mellis was an unused sub.