The Bayern Munich president and playing legend insists their opponents would collapse without owner Roman Abramovich’s backing.

Hoeness, 60, said: “Chelsea are a club with their backs to the wall as a result of their patchy league season.

“If they lose the Champions League final in Munich they will not be in the competition next year — and we all know what that would mean for a club like Chelsea.

“Roman Abramovich has put £900million into Chelsea.

“If he pulls the plug on them you will be able to pick the club up for the price of a puzzle magazine from a news stand.”

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The Chelsea striker has played in eight cup finals for Chelsea and scored in all but one of them.

The exception was the 2008 Champions League final against Manchester United in Moscow when he was sent off three minutes from the end of extra time and Chelsea lost in a penalty shootout.

The European Cup remains the only trophy still missing from Drogba’s eight years at the Bridge.

Drogba, 34, said: “I’ve played in many big games with Chelsea but this will be one of the biggest.

“People say I’m made to play in cup finals and it’s true I’ve had many great moments in these games.

“But I’ve had my disappointments so I’ll try to make this a great one.”

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Kenny Dalglish may have paid the price for a shocking league campaign but that
has not stopped his fans reacting with fury.

So was it right for owners Fenway Sports Group to axe the greatest Kop legend
of all?

PHIL THOMAS, SunSport’s man on Merseyside for the past decade, gives
his answers to the questions every Kopite is asking.

WHY DID HE HAVE TO GO?

ULTIMATELY it came down to one thing and one thing only — results.

While beating the likes of both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and neighbours
Everton in the cups had them dancing on the Kop, as far as Fenway Sports
Group were concerned, it was all about the Premier League.

Henry tossed in a grenade at the start of the season, when he insisted: “Our
main goal is to qualify for the Champions League. If we don’t, it would be a
major disappointment.”

But for FSG, missing out on a place at Europe’s top table once more far, far
outweighed a trophy the Yanks had not even heard of before they arrived on
Merseyside.

Finishing 17 points off the top four — and a place behind Everton — was
unacceptable to everyone, including Dalglish. And while his claims they are
moving in the right direction convinced some, it cut no ice with the Yanks.

WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT THE YANKS?

WHATEVER the feelings about the decision — and there are plenty who were still
in Dalglish’s corner — yesterday’s axe proved John W Henry and Tom Werner
are prepared to make the toughest of calls.

They are well aware of the backlash now facing them when they next deign to
visit Merseyside to check on their investment.

Henry and Werner are businessmen first and foremost. And if they feel anything
is threatening their investment, there will only be one winner.

WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE THE CLUB?

AT the moment Liverpool are in danger of becoming a rudderless ship, with the
dismissal of Dalglish leaving them short in a host of crucial positions.

While the hunt for a new manager has started, they have yet to replace axed
director of football Damien Comolli, are still without a CEO and have no
official head of communications. It all means the next few months could have
massive repercussions in terms of where the Reds go for the foreseeable
future.

If they fail to deliver the right man it will be hard to attract the right
kind of players, there will be fury on the terraces and whoever takes over
will also find themselves under enormous pressure.

IS THIS THE RIGHT WAY TO TREAT A LEGEND?

DALGLISH, for all his failings, still had the vast majority of fans on his
side — rightly so, given all he has brought to the club over the years.

Dragging him to America and the ensuing two-day silence, was not the way
Dalglish should have been treated. He deserved better than this — at least
given the chance to see how it went at the start of next season.

WHAT WERE HIS WEAKNESSES?

HIS judgment in the market has been seriously questioned, given the nightmare
seasons Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and — until recently
— Andy Carroll endured.

Dalglish would never win top marks for his public image and, for the hugely
publicity-conscious Yanks, that was crucial.

His handling of the Suarez affair — and wearing one of those infamous T-shirts
himself — was a PR disaster and even Kenny admits it could have been handled
better.

WOULD THE FA CUP HAVE SAVED HIM?

THE one thing this season has proved is that, for the owners, Liverpool no
longer exist to win trophies but to get into the Champions League.

The odds are that winning the FA Cup would have been a stay of execution — but
not a free pardon.

IS THE JOB NOW A POISONED CHALICE?

LIVERPOOL may have suffered their worst Premier League placing but there are
still few bigger clubs to have on your CV.

The attraction of Anfield is such that the majority of managers would still
jump at the chance — and in some ways it becomes even more attractive now.

Replacing a figure like Kenny is tough but if the new man turns them into a
genuine force again, he will be guaranteed legendary status himself.

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JOE HART (MAN CITY)

GREAT end to a fantastic season for England’s No 1. He’s been top class and is
arguably Roy Hodgson’s most crucial player.

WILL HE PLAY? Starter

ROB GREEN (WEST HAM)

NOT enjoyed a great season even though he will be playing in Saturday’s
play-off final. Still haunted by World Cup blunder against the US.

WILL HE PLAY? No chance

JOHN RUDDY (NORWICH)

SQUEEZED into the squad for the first time. Improved all season as part of a
Norwich side which easily avoided the drop.

WILL HE PLAY? No chance

LEIGHTON BAINES (EVERTON)

HAS been excellent and is superb going forward. In better form than Ashley
Cole but will have to wait for an injury to get his chance.

WILL HE PLAY? No chance

ASHLEY COLE (CHELSEA)

BY his own high standards, has not been at his very best – although he has
struggled with injury. Still first-choice at left-back, though.

WILL HE PLAY? Starter

GLEN JOHNSON (LIVERPOOL)

ALSO hampered by injury and has been very inconsistent. After a public
fall-out with Hodgson at Anfield, lucky to be included.

WILL HE PLAY? Starter

GARY CAHILL (CHELSEA)

CAME of age in Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final win against Barcelona at
Stamford Bridge. End of season hampered by hamstring injury.

WILL HE PLAY? Starter

PHIL JONES (MAN UNITED)

MIXED first season at Old Trafford after signing from Blackburn. It has taken
time to adjust but versatility is his big plus.

WILL HE PLAY? Come on as sub

JOLEON LESCOTT (MAN CITY)

A ROCK at the back for City on their Premier League title run and many will
feel he should be starting for England. That looks unlikely in this
tournament.

WILL HE PLAY? No chance

JOHN TERRY (CHELSEA)

NOT exactly Mr Popular at the moment and dogged by controversy — again. Many
fans might not want to see him in the squad but he is certain to play a key
role.

WILL HE PLAY? Starter

STEVEN GERRARD (LIVERPOOL)

HIS season has been hampered by injury problems. These have stopped him from
playing at his very best but Hodgson has faith in him — making him the
skipper.

WILL HE PLAY? Starter

GARETH BARRY (MAN CITY)

CRACKING end to the season for the Premier League champions. However, many
fans will still remember his sluggish display against Germany in the World
Cup finals.

WILL HE PLAY? Come on as sub

STEWART DOWNING (LIVERPOOL)

BIG shock as he has been poor for struggling Liverpool. He hasn’t scored a
league goal all season, has no assists and missed a penalty against Chelsea.

WILL HE PLAY? No chance

FRANK LAMPARD (CHELSEA)

PROVED he can still bring something to the table on big occasions when Roberto
Di Matteo took over from AVB at Chelsea. The 33-year-old is not over the
hill yet.

WILL HE PLAY? Starter

JAMES MILNER (MAN CITY)

AN unused sub in seven of City’s last 11 games – and only did OK when being
played. Very unlikely to force his way into the starting XI but may be used
off the bench.

WILL HE PLAY? Come on as sub

ASHLEY YOUNG (MAN UNITED)

SOME mixed performances for Manchester United this term – and not a regular.
But has still done OK in his appearances for England.

WILL HE PLAY? Starter

THEO WALCOTT (ARSENAL)

HALF-TIME sub for Arsenal at West Brom on the final day of the season after a
few weeks sidelined – but he will be fine for England.

WILL HE PLAY? Starter

ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN (ARSENAL)

GOOD choice. Has really made an impact for Arsenal this season, whether it has
been as a starter or coming on as a substitute.

WILL HE PLAY? Come on as sub

SCOTT PARKER (SPURS)

YET another England player who has suffered a few injury problems. But
definitely makes the starting line-up if his Achilles is OK.

WILL HE PLAY? Starter

JERMAIN DEFOE (SPURS)

HAS struggled to get a game for Harry Redknapp at Spurs – but still managed to
score 17 times this season. Could be useful off the bench.

WILL HE PLAY? Come on as sub

DANNY WELBECK (MAN UNITED)

HIT a couple of goals towards the end of the season but still a raw talent.
Will have to wait for his chance to shine internationally.

WILL HE PLAY? Come on as sub

WAYNE ROONEY (MAN UNITED)

THE only world-class performer in the team. Will be sorely missed when he
serves his ban in the first two matches. His return will be vital.

WILL HE PLAY? Starter

ANDY CARROLL (LIVERPOOL)

HOPELESS for much of the season before coming good late on. That could be
enough to get him the job of deputising for suspended Rooney.

WILL HE PLAY? Starter

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And they do not come much bigger than leaving out Rio Ferdinand from the squad for Euro 2012.

News of the Manchester United star’s omission may have leaked out the night before but I am still surprised he is not included.

The squad looks a bit naked without him.

Hodgson insists his decision not to name Ferdinand alongside John Terry was made purely on footballing grounds and had nothing to do with the fact JT is due to stand trial in July on a charge of racially abusing Rio’s younger brother Anton.

That was good to hear.

Regardless of whether I agree with Hodgson’s decision or not, I am pleased he made it in the name of the game and not politics.

A manager must be able to select the players he wants to, even if sometimes those choices are unpopular with some members of the footballing establishment and the public.

If Hodgson feels Ferdinand’s inclusion was not right on a footballing basis that is, of course, his prerogative.

He is paid to make those calls and must be allowed to make them free of outside influence or duress.

But football is all about opinions and I probably would have reserved the right to have named both Ferdinand and Terry in my group.

I know this would have raised questions about the impact their inclusion would have had on the rest of the squad.

But, by all accounts, both players have stated they would be willing to play with the other.

And when you are heading into a major tournament with the England side, football is the only concern.

Without wishing to sound callous, there is no time to consider private feelings.

You are professional people, you are going on an important job and you need the best men for it.

Sentiment or politics do not come into it.

Now Ferdinand may not have had his best season for Manchester United and there are question marks over his fitness.

But he is still a class act with the experience and ability to do a job for his country at a major tournament.

And his inclusion would have evened out an imbalanced squad that I feel is too heavy in the middle.

Hodgson, who it should be remembered has been thrust into the job at the 11th hour, has named NINE midfielders — while Phil Jones, who has also played in midfield, is listed among the defenders, of which there are just seven.

Jones could also be forced to double up as Glen Johnson is the only recognised right-back in the group. That’s despite the fact many United fans will question his ability to play that role.

I’m delighted to see the old guard of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry, along with Scott Parker, retained in midfield.

But the overloaded section includes FOUR wingers in Stewart Downing, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

That could prove significant if we intend to go 4-3-3, but I wonder if four widemen is a bit excessive, especially as only four strikers have been named. And one of them, Wayne Rooney, is suspended for the first two matches of the tournament.

Now I know the likes of Walcott, Young or Oxlade-Chamberlain could push forward, as could new captain Gerrard.

But in reality we are left with one or two from just Jermain Defoe, Danny Welbeck and Andy Carroll as our attacking threat in our opening games against France and Sweden.

We must pray one of them does not get injured or sent off.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s call-up has the potential to be inspired and I can see the logic in Carroll’s inclusion. To say he is ‘in-form’ is stretching it but he has finished the season strongly.

As a manager, sometimes you have to go with your gut feeling.

Hodgson has not had much time to assemble his squad but we must take comfort from the fact he has always been a great student of the game.

He would have known about the players he has picked long before the FA came calling.

He has made some big calls but he is the one who has rolled the dice and now we must wait to see where they land.

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But the QPR midfielder has denied a second charge of alleged violent conduct
against City captain Vincent Kompany.

Barton has requested a personal hearing with English football's governing
body, the date of which has yet to be set.

The R's have confirmed they will also launch an investigation into their
skipper's actions following his dismissal in the 3-2 defeat at the Etihad
which saw City clinch the Premier League title.

Barton, 29, was sent off for elbowing Carlos Tevez but later kneed Sergio
Aguero and aimed a headbutt at Kompany after receiving his marching orders
from referee Mike Dean.

It was Barton's second sending off of the campaign and he
could be clobbered with a whopping NINE-match ban.

A statement from the Loftus Road club said: “Queens Park Rangers Football can
confirm that a full investigation in relation to Joey Barton’s dismissal and
subsequent events against Manchester City on Sunday will be carried out
following the conclusion of his FA hearing.

“The club will be making no further comment at this stage.”

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The Manchester United defender was today left out of Roy Hodgson's 23-man
party for this summer’s tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Hodgson decided to select Chelsea pair John Terry and Gary Cahill, Manchester
City’s Joleon Lescott and Ferdinand’s United team-mate Phil Jones as his
centre-backs.

And the decision has left 33-year-old Ferdinand reeling. He tweeted:
“Absolutely loved playing for England.

“To say I'm gutted is an understatement of the highest order.”

Ferdinand made his first appearance for the Three Lions at senior level in a
friendly against Cameroon in 1997.

He has since gone on to play for his country on 81 occasions, scoring three
goals.

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The striker will move to London after Germany's Euro 2012 campaign has
finished.

And he is confident he can lead Arsene Wenger's side to their first taste of
glory since their 2005 FA Cup win.

Podolski said: "It won’t be easy as the Premier League is quite well balanced,
certainly across the top six teams who are all very strong. It will be
difficult.

“But I have joined to win titles and trophies — that is my target. I will
do my very best to be successful with Arsenal.

“They play fast in England, score lots of goals and there are tough battles.

“I enjoy this style of football, so from that point of view I think I will adapt
fairly quickly. I’m a player who plays in a similar style.”

Podolski’s former manager Stale Solbakken — the new Wolves boss —
believes Arsenal have made a shrewd signing.

He said: “He can play in any team in the world. He was bigger than God in
Cologne — you wouldn’t believe it unless you were there.

“He’s just had his best ever season with 18 goals from 30 games or something and
when we had all those injuries, he carried the team alone for some games.

“He’s physical, he’s played 100 games for Germany and scored 45 goals, so I think
he can cope with everything.

“He can play in either of the forward positions up front. If Arsenal
play their usual 4-2-3-1, he can play in all of those four forward positions.”

Arsenal will hold talks with player of the year Robin van Persie over a new contract
and Podolski would relish the opportunity to play alongside the Dutch striker.

He added: “Arsenal are a very disciplined team; they play great football with
excellent passing and they are really good to watch on television.

“I’m excited to be part of this team now, playing that way and making the supporters
happy.

“Robin van Persie has had such a brilliant season — it has been great to watch.

“Then there is Per Mertesacker who I know well, and I have also been impressed with
the performances of Wojciech Szczesny in goal.

“Of course Tomas Rosicky has had a very good season. There are many great players
at Arsenal.”

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The Scot's contract was terminated after he flew to the United States to
present his end-of-season review to principal owner John Henry and Tom
Werner.

Despite Dalglish leading the Reds to Carling Cup glory and to the FA Cup final
where they lost to Chelsea, it was their dismal Premier League form which
ultimately led to his downfall.

An eighth-place finish was way below what is expected from a club that needs
Champions League football to compete financially with Europe's big guns.

Liverpool ended the season with 52 points — their lowest ever total in the
Premier League — and finished below Merseyside rivals Everton.

The Anfield side also recorded their fewest number of wins in a top-flight
season — 14 — since 1953-54 and scored their fewest top
flight goals in a season — 47 — since 1991-92.

Henry and Werner were also not happy with the way Dalglish handled the Luis
Suarez affair or his surly appearances in front of the media.

Dalglish said: "It has been an honour and a privilege to have had the
chance to come back to Liverpool Football Club as manager.

"I greatly appreciate the work that Steve, Kevin, the players and all of
the staff put in during my time and feel proud that we delivered the club's
first trophy in six years winning the Carling Cup and came close to a second
trophy in the FA Cup final.

"Of course I am disappointed with results in the league, but I would not
have swapped the Carling Cup win for anything as I know how much it meant to
our fans and the club to be back winning trophies.

"Whilst I am obviously disappointed to be leaving the football club, I
can say that the matter has been handled by the owners and all concerned in
an honourable, respectful and dignified way and reflects on the quality of
the people involved and their continued desire to move the football club
forward in the same way as when they arrived here.

"I would like to thank all of the staff at the club for their effort and
loyalty.

"I said when first approached about coming back as manager that I would
always be of help if I can at any time and that offer remains the same.

"Finally, I want to put on record my heartfelt gratitude to Liverpool's
fans, who have always given me and the club their unwavering support.

"Without them neither the club nor I would have achieved anything."

SunSport understands Dalglish was not prepared to accept an upstairs role at
Anfield, forcing the owners hands and leading to his exit.

Dalglish took over from current England boss Roy Hodgson in January 2011 and
the Reds confirmed their search for his successor is already underway.

Henry said: "Kenny will always be more than a championship winning
manager, more than a championship winning star player.

"He is in many ways the heart and soul of the club. He personifies
everything that is good about Liverpool Football Club.

"He has always put the club and its supporters first. Kenny will always
be a part of the family at Anfield.

"Our job now is to identify and recruit the right person to take this
club forward and build on the strong foundations put in place during the
last 18 months."

Werner added: "Kenny came into the club as manager at our request at a
time when Liverpool Football Club really needed him.

"He didn't ask to be manager — he was asked to assume the role.
He did so because he knew the club needed him.

"He did more than anyone else to stabilise Liverpool over the past
year-and-a-half and to get us once again looking forward. We owe him a great
debt of gratitude.

"However, results in the Premier League have been disappointing and we
believe to build on the progress that has already been made, we need to make
a change.

"We are committed to delivering success for our supporters and our
ambition remains resolute to return this great club to the elite of England
and Europe, where it belongs."

Kenny Dalglish's departure brings to an end his second spell at the club
where, as a player, he won numerous honours, including six English league
titles and three European Cup trophies.

As manager he won three league titles, two FA Cups and this season's Carling
Cup.

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