Although their England contingent will be absent from Euro 2008, Chelsea will still be well represented at this summer’s tournament and a number of Blues’ stars will be looking to go one better after their recent near misses at club level.

Petr Cech is a certain starter for the Czech Republic while Michael Ballack is the key man for a Germany side well fancied to lift the trophy

France’s 30-man provisional squad contained the names of Claude Makelele, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka while Portugal have also three Chelsea men in their ranks where Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira are joined by new £16m signing Jose Bosingwa.

The forgotten man of Stamford Bridge meanwhile, Dutchman Khalid Boulahrouz is battling with Andre Ooijer of Blackburn and Wigan’s Mario Melchiot to make the cut for for the Netherlands squad despite injury problems that have plagued his season on loan to Sevilla.

“I do not need all three of them, so one of those three will drop out,” said manager Marco van Basten.

Former stars:

Lassana Diarra has been named alongside Makelele, Malouda and Anelka in the initial France squad while goalkeeper Jurgen Macho, whose Chelsea career comprised no senior appearances whatsoever, will be hoping to make an impact for hosts Austria although ex-Arsenal man Alex Manninger is likely to be first-choice.

Melchiot is up against Boulahrouz for a place in the Dutch party alongside Arjen Robben while a potential star of the tournament is former Stamford Bridge striker Adrian Mutu.

After leaving England under a cloud, the Romanian has revived his career in Italy and is the key figure for his national side

Transfer targets?

Avram Grant’s weekend sacking means the likes of Portugual boss Luiz Felipe Scolari will be linked with Chelsea over the next few weeks. Scolari’s key playmaker Deco has also been mentioned as a possible Blues target in the past.

Guus Hiddink’s name will also crop up in connection with the managerial vacancy despite his recent contract extension to coach the Russia side until 2010.

France’s hot properties, Hatem Ben Arfa and Karim Benzema are both being touted for moves to top European clubs this summer as is Klaas Jan Huntelaar of Ajax and Holland.