It’s only taken three days for the hiring at Stamford Bridge to set the British soccer media ablaze, so much so that, for the first time in its short history, Premiership News and Rumors concentrates on one club:  Chelsea FC.

While new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari guides the Portuguese national team team through Euro 2008, the rest of the soccer-following world has volunteered to help him figure out how to spend owner Roman Abramovich’s fortune, from which £100 million might be allocated towards this summer’s transfer budget. All prominent targets from Scolari’s 2002 World Cup winning side from (Brazil) and the current Portuguese national team have had Chelsea move to the top of their likely destination lists; most prominently, Barcelona’s Deco and Ronaldinho.

After Scolari was named Chelsea boss earlier this week, speculation of Deco’s potential move from Barcelona exploded. Before that, speculation had Deco’s list of potential targets down to two: Chelsea and Inter Milan. Inter had been thought the favorite because of the hiring of Jose Mourinho, with whom Deco won the Champions League at FC Porto in 2004. With Scolari now announced at Chelsea, Stamford Bridge is now thought to be the favorite to land the Portuguese international, with some reports saying a deal is already done. Deco and his agent deny such a deal is in place, with the midfielder now worried that Barcelona may be asking too much as a transfer fee. “At my age you cannot ask too much for me,” said the 30-year-old, who was reported close to a deal at Inter before the Scolari hiring. That deal, said to be for around £10 million, was partially scuttled by Barça increasing their asking price. Deco’s price is now said to be closer to £15 million, with a high figure of £20 million also reported.

Deco’s teammate at Barcelona, Ronaldinho, had been speculated to Manchester City before Scolari’s hiring, but now that the man who was in charge of his 2002 World Cup winning team is at Chelsea, Ronaldinho has said “it would be a pleasure to cross paths with him again.” Part of what had made Ronaldinho’s move to Manchester City plausible (beyond Thaksin Shinawatra’s money) was the lack of interest from elite clubs. With Scolari now at Chelsea, that lack of interest may be no more. Shinawatra has been confident that City will acquire Ronaldinho, ready to pay a £20 million fee to Barça.

One other Barça player, Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o, has been linked with Chelsea, part of what might be a package deal with Deco. Eto’o has also been linked with Inter and AC Milan, the three teams most prominent in the bidding for Chelsea’s Didier Drogba. Drogba, however, in the wake of Scolari’s hiring, has reiterated his contract with Chelsea that runs through 2010, indicating he is willing to stay at The Bridge. If Drogba does indeed want to stay - a pledge he has notably come just short of making - Eto’o looks more likely to move to the Serie A.

One other current Chelsea player leaning back towards the club is center back Ricardo Carvalho. In what same have labeled as the most positive effect of Scolari’s announcement, the Portuguese international backed off quotes from early in the week pushing a reunion with Jose Mourinho. The hiring of Carvalho’s national team coach could be enough to see the club’s player of the year stay.

Another current member of the club Scolari’s hoping to keep is Frank Lampard. Lampard was another, along with Carvalho and Drogba, set to be targeted by Mourinho, but Scolari is said to be keen on keeping the midfielder, ready to make him the club’s highest paid player at £150,000 per week. The stabilizing factor of such a prominent hire may be a deciding factor for the England international, who is heading into the final year of a contract that he can buy-out for £7 million.

Real Madrid’s Robinho has also seen his name linked with Chelsea since the hiring of Scolari, though any club’s deal for the 24-year-old Brazilian is unlikely to be completed until the Cristiano Ronaldo affair ends. Robinho, it is rumored, will be proposed as a makeweight in the deal that would send Ronaldo from Manchester United to Real Madrid. Whatever odds you put on that happening, Real Madrid are unlikely to off-load the young winger when he can be used to help lure his superstar replacement. Should Madrid not acquire Ronaldo or Robinho not be makeweight in that deal, the amount speculated for a Chelsea bid is £28 million.

And no transfer speculation report would be complete without a mention of the man of the hour, David Villa. The Valencia striker has been the star of Euro 2008 over Spain’s first two matches, scoring four goals, including a hat trick in the Spaniards’ opening match against Russia. Already carrying a high price tag after scoring 18 goals in 29 games for Valencia, Villa was set to be sold to help Valencia balance their books, with Liverpool loosely mentioned as an interested party. But with Villa’s stellar performance at Euro, Rafa Benitez and his tight transfer budget might be priced out of the market, with the 26-year-old striker approaching a realm in which only the Chelseas of the world can consistently play. Villa will also see his priced pushed by La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, both of whom will have to deal with calls to acquire the available Spanish hero. However, in a ploy seemingly to drive up the price, Valencia coach Unai Emery now says Villa is not available.

If Villa truly is off-the-market, he will join a growing and distinguished list of names linked with Chelsea that have been affirmed unavailable by their owning clubs. AC Milan has warned off Chelsea regarding star midfielder Kaka amidst rumors Scolari may seek out the Brazilian. Liverpool continues to say Feranando Torres is unavailable, with Chelsea being the main target of those comments, while Bayern Munich says they will not sell Frank Ribery.

One of the more bazaar pieces of speculation holds right back Jose Bosingwa, who was confirmed in mid-May as switching from FC Porto to Chelsea, was actually a Scolari signing, with the Scolari authorizing the signing of the Portugal international almost one month before he was announced hired at Stamford Bridge. These are the type of rumors you get when the British media is handed the story of an elite club hiring a high profile coach and allocating him a seemingly unlimited amount of transfer money. You get conspiracy theories and, as seen above, links between club and almost every high-profile player in the world. Thankfully, no rumors of Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Stamford Bridge have surfaced.

Yet.

Country: Czech Republic

Manager: Karel Bruckner, Brucker announced he will be stepping down after Euro 2008, and will surely like to leave the country with silverware.

Euro 2004 Performance:  Four years ago, the Czechs found themselves in the game of the tournament as they crawled back from a two-goal deficit to claim victory over Holland in the group stages.  After the 3-0 trouncing of Denmark in the Quarterfinals, the Czechs ultimately lost to the eventual winner Greece in the Semis near the end of the first period of extra-time.

Euro 2008 Qualifier Performance:  In the two years of qualifying, the Czech Republic finished first in Group D, with Germany qualifying with them in second place.  The Czechs only suffered one loss in the group and finished with 29 points with a 9-2-1 record.

Key Attacking Player: Jan Koller is surely the attacking player in need of watching come start of the tournament.  His domineering height and ball skills will undoubtedly be one of the reasons the Czechs will advance to the knockout stages.  With his move from Monaco only months ago, Koller claimed two goals this half of the campaign but will be thirsty at goal come June.

Key Defensive Player: Petr Cech.  Although not technically part of the back four, the heart of the defense will revolve around Peter Cech.  His keeping and world-class prowess will give the Czechs the cushion they need to progress.  I would be surprised to see Cech give up more than 2 goals the entire group.

Breakout Player: With their aging side becoming more and more of a factor as well, a new star better be grown if they want to prevail two years from now in South Africa.

Predicted Group Finish: Second Given the circumstances of the setting for the tournament, finishing second will be a tough task as Switzerland will come under national unity and not be rolled over.

With the overwhelming experience on the Czech team, jitters and nerves should not even be mentioned as a problem.  As for this tournament, a strong squad could see them either go far, or barely leave the gate.  The news of Tomas Rosicky’s injury keeping him out of Euro ’08 is a big hit to the team, as their driving midfield force will be missing.  This injury could prove to be a giant shock to the psyche of the Czech team and its supporters.

Country: Portugal

Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari

Euro 2004 Performance:  Four years ago, Portugal was the host of the Euro Championships and commandeered themselves all the way to the final.  Yet, they fell in the final to the Greece in heartbreak.  That loss will just be more of an incentive for Portugal to be strong contenders come this tournament.

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance: In Group A of qualifying, Portugal finished second behind Poland.  They finished qualifying with a 7-6-1 record.

Key Attacking Player: Cristiano Ronaldo will undoubtedly be the man to watch of the tournament.  Having been in formidable form the entire season, he will be looking for that first major international trophy, and will have the desire to do it after being apart of the team that was heart broken four years ago.  Look for Ronaldo to possibly be the top scorer in this tournament.

Key Defensive Player: Ricardo Carvalho is obviously a good defender, but his sometimes lackadaisical play as seen on numerous occasions this year has led to many missed chances for Chelsea.  His latest was the sloppy back pace right to Wayne Rooney in the crucial Man Utd game.  Although he was saved there, that kind of careless play would not be what Portugal are looking for if they plan to lift the trophy.

Breakout Player: Normally, I would have to say Nani.  But since his summer arrival to Manchester last year, he has already shown his capabilities.  Therefore, Miguel Véloso is the player I would guarantee is ready to sprout into his own.  The Sporting Lisbon player will be eager to show his class and use the tournament as a stage to show it off.

Predicted Group Finish: First With the world’s number one player on your team, it would be difficult not seeing Portugal reach at least the semis.  As well the teams natural ability to play fluid football, the chemistry in the Portugal locker room is reminiscent to that of your Sunday game every weekend.  With all of gears going for Portugal, this June should taste pretty sweet.

Thoughts:  With the exclusion of Maniche from the squad, the player that was so influential in both Euro ’04 and the last World Cup, it will be interesting to see who will step into those shoes and be the driving force.  With so much young talent on the Portugal bench, their only downfall may be the lack of experience.  With Figo out, Deco will have to assume the role of keeping the team a tight knit group.  Personally, Portugal is my favorite to win it all.

Country: Switzerland

Manager: Kobi Kuhn

Euro 2004 Performance: Back in Portugal four years ago, Switzerland failed to make it out of the group stages of the competition, yet alone win a match. With a two losses and a draw, they will be looking to show their footballing capabilities now that they are hosting.

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance: Due to the fact that they are one of the hosts this year, they did not have to qualify.

Key Attacking Player: Tranquillo Barnetta is surely one of the bright stars for Switzerland.  After first being called up in 2004, he was influential last World Cup but unfortunately had his penalty thump the crossbar, leading to the eventual 3-0 win on PK’s for the Ukraine.  However, he was shortlisted for the tournaments Best Young Player award.  In this current campaign, he has netted 6 goals for Bayer Leverkusen and more will come from him this June.

Key Defensive Player: Philippe Senderos will have to be the strong hold of the defense for Switzerland come June.  Many of us who watch his play in the Premier league might rush off to call him rubbish, yet he does possess quality, and it will be that quality that will see Switzerland put on a good performance.

Breakout Player: Gelson Fernandes has been hailed by Sven Goran Eriksson as the “best young player in Switzerland.”  Since his move to Manchester City last summer, he’s netted twice, but impressively scored his first goal within 40 seconds of his first appearance for the club.  Although he may not get many opportunities, his contributions will be greatly needed if Switzerland is to advance.

Predicted Group Finish: Third.  Although they are gaining talent at the national level, the hosts won’t be able to pull through and will unfortunately just miss out on the elimination rounds.

Thoughts:  Although Switzerland has a promising side, the experience of the Czech Republic will earn them the second qualifying spot, and leave the Swiss out of the tournament.  If the defense remains strong, the goals will just have to pour in for them, then the Swiss could very well sneak into the elimination rounds.

Country: Turkey

Manager: Fatih Terim

Euro 2004 Performance: Failed to Qualify

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance: Turkey finished second in Group C of qualifying behind Greece.  They finished on 24 points with a 7-3-2 record.  

Key Attacking Player: Tuncay Sanli has given us wonder strikes in the Premier league for Middlesbrough.  If he can provide those electric goals, Turkey might just find the sparks needed to escape the group stages and climb to the elimination rounds.

Key Defensive Player: Emre Asik will be the holding force in the Turkish defense.  The captain will need to keep his line strong, as they will be faced with the tough task of beginning the tournament against one of the favorites, Portugal.   

Breakout Player: Kazim Kazim has proven his class since his move to the Turkish club Fenerbahçe.  He was highly instrumental in their progress in the Champions League and without a doubt will be scoring goals come this June.

Predicted Group Finish: Fourth.  

Thoughts: Hamit Altintop would be the Turkish star this June.  The Bayern striker however may miss the tournament after breaking a metatarsal bone in his right foot.  After being in fabulous form this campaign, his loss would be astronomical.  With Altintop gone, it is hard to imagine Turkey creating the same brilliance they managed back at the 2002 World Cup.