Chelsea players at Euro 2012 round up

England and France were knocked out of Euro 2012 at the weekend, meaning that John Terry, Ashley Cole and Florent Malouda will have no more effect on the tournament. Malouda’s last game was not a memorable one, as the whole French team failed to have any significant possession against Spain. Terry and Cole were a lot more noticeable as England held out manfully against Italy.

Terry and Cole have been two of England’s best and consistent performers during the Euros, and last night was no exception. The two defenders gave their all, and kept an inventive and creative Italian side at bay to take the game into penalties.

Cole now knows how his club captain must have felt in the Champion’s league final against Manchester United in Moscow. United’s Ashley Young had already hit the bar before Cole stepped up to take England’s fourth penalty. He needed to score to put pressure on the last Italian penalty taker, but Buffon went the right way and the kick was a bit tame.

Cole will feel bad today but he played brilliantly throughout Euro 2012. England surprised many by their performances but they were unable to replicate Chelsea’s Champion’s league heroics.

The only Chelsea players left in the competition are Spain’s Juan Mata who has not kicked a ball yet, Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles of Portugal. The two Iberian sides will contest the semi-final on Wednesday, and Meireles will need to be at his best if he is to see his team beat the defending champions.

Who knows whether Spain will start with Torres or with six midfielders again. It cannot be helping his confidence when midfielders are being used as strikers ahead of him.