Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has admitted he would be interested in a move to Barcelona.

The Czech international was a key member of the Stamford Bridge side that won back to back Premier League titles.

He missed a large chunk of last season after suffering a fractured skull in a clash with Reading's Stephen Hunt, but battled his way back to full fitness.

If Cech were to leave, it would be a huge loss to Blues boss Avram Grant who would need to recruit a world-class replacement.

Cech told a Czech website: "Can I imagine staying in England? That I cannot answer.

"So far I have been very happy at Chelsea and I have started to love the Premier League. I have got used to life in London and my wife and I like it.

"But in the case of Barcelona showing interest, yes, certainly it would be worth considering."

Cech's agent Pavel Zika told MF Dnes: "Petr is absolutely happy at Chelsea, but if he was to change clubs in the future, then three or four of the most famous clubs would come into account. And Barcelona are among them."

England's qualification is out of their hands. Their best hope is to finish ahead of Russia. But if the Russians win in Israel on Saturday, they will be one point ahead of England with one match to play - and that match is away to rock-bottom Andorra. England will not expect any favours from Andorra, who are on a run of 28 consecutive Euro qualifying defeats.

If Russia lose in Israel, then England need only to draw (or win) against Croatia in their final match at Wembley to guarantee qualification. If Russia draw in Israel, then England will need to beat Croatia in their final match to go through, given that a Russia win against Andorra is all but certain.

There is one other glimmer of hope for England. If Croatia lose in Macedonia, then an England win over the Croats by a three-goal margin will put them above their rivals. A 2-0 win would also be enough, but a two-goal margin in which England have conceded a goal (eg 3-1) will not be enough - as Croatia's away goal will mean they lead the head-to-head standings between the teams. Of course, should Russia have dropped points against Israel then any win over Croatia will suffice.

Scotland will qualify if they beat Italy in their final qualification game on Saturday at Hampden Park.

If Scotland lose, they are out.

If Scotland draw, then their hopes rest on Ukraine doing them a favour by beating France in the final set of group matches on 21 November. If they have drawn, a point for France in Ukraine would put Scotland out - barring the mother and father of all shocks in Italy courtesy of the Faroe Islands.

There are no two ways about it - Northern Ireland's chances are hanging by the slimmest of tiny threads. But there is a route through for them.

First up, they must win both of their remaining matches, at home against Denmark and away to Spain. Anything less and they are out. But two wins will be sufficient, providing Spain have failed to win in their other match at home to Sweden on 17 November.

If Spain beat Sweden, two wins for Northern Ireland will still put them through, but only if Latvia triumph in Sweden in the final qualifying match on 21 November.

issoisso wrote:
we're doing better, despite out imbecile of a coach, lack of striker and goalkeeper, and (by far the most glaring since it's by a landslide the most important position in modern football) lack of a top defensive midfielder.

we need to beat Armenia and draw Finland (both at home) to win the group. or beat just one of them to be second. or get one or zero points from those two games and hope other games go our way.

cio93 wrote:
my opinion
we germans have to stick together

cio93 wrote:
aber unser ganzes mittelfeld fehlt...

England coach Steve McClaren says he "fully expects" the team to reach Euro 2008, despite their perilous position