"WRITE ENGLAND OFF AT YOUR OWN PERIL" GERRARD TELLS OPPONENTS

Steven Gerrard has warned against writing off England's World Cup hopes and insists Roy Hodgson's men can cause a surprise in Brazil next summer.

As the Three Lions prepare for two crucial qualifying matches against Moldova and Ukraine, FA chairman Greg Dyke claimed on Wednesday that they stand little chance of winning the tournament - should they qualify.

But Gerrard believes the team is good enough to go to the World Cup and make the nation proud - though he insists the players are fully focused on achieving qualification first.

"I don't think we're as weak as has been suggested," the England captain told reporters.

"Realistically, everyone in the room knows we're not going to be one of the bookies' favourites to win the World Cup.

"It doesn't mean we can't get there and have a successful tournament to make the country proud. But we don't want to get ahead of ourselves. Our priority is to get there first.

"To qualify is the challenge. We want to qualify for the World Cup, go there and make the nation proud. We can do that without winning it.

"Playing at a World Cup is the pinnacle of any footballer's dream as a kid - especially in Brazil."

MADRID ANNOUNCE PROFIT

Real Madrid have announced a turnover of €520.9 million over the 2012-13 fiscal year, a 1.3 per cent increase on the previous season.

The Santiago Bernabeu side therefore become the only sports entity in the world to surpass the €500m revenue barrier for the second consecutive year.

Madrid recorded a net profit of €36.9m, which represents a 52.4 per cent increase compared to the previous financial year.

Consequently, the Liga giants' net debt dropped by 27.4 per cent to €90.6m in total - a decrease of more than €34m.

Much of the strong financial performance is based on the club's transfer policy of the past year, with the collective €40m outlay on Luka Modric, Diego Lopez and the loan of Michael Essien offset by the sales of Sergio Canales, Hamit Altintop, Lassana Diarra and Nuri Sahin's loan exit.

The figures do not take into account the monumental summer spending from Carlo Ancelotti's side in 2013, during which Gareth Bale, Isco, Asier Illarremendi, Dani Carvajal and Casemiro all arrived for a combined sum of €181.5m. Neither are the sales of Mesut Ozil, Gonzalo Higuain, Jose Callejon and Raul Albiol factored in.

The results from the 2012-2013 season will be subject to approval at a club general meeting on September 22.

ADAN AGGRIEVED ABOUT MOURINHO SNUB

Ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper Antonio Adan has hit out at former coach Jose Mourinho for "depriving" him of playing time by recruiting Diego Lopez as cover for Iker Casillas last season.

The 26-year-old, whose contract at the Santiago Bernabeu was terminated on Monday, was understudy to the Spain captain for much of his three-year stint in the Spanish capital.

However, the former Blancos stopper admits he thought he was set for a spell in the first team following a hand injury to Casillas and has blasted Mourinho for looking elsewhere to replace the 31-year-old.

He told la Sexta: "When Iker got injured, I was deprived of the right to play for Real Madrid. The press disrespected me.

"I trained normally, without knowing anything about Diego Lopez. I learned of his signing through the media.

"I would have loved for [Jose] Mourinho to have explained that signing. When Iker was injured, I could have come in as I had already proven myself.

"I had many ups and downs and there were hard times because they told me and I was prepared psychologically."

Adan made 17 appearances for Real Madrid throughout his time in the senior team.

PRANDELLI NOT SURE OF FUTURE

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has admitted he is undecided whether or not he will prolong his spell with the national team beyond next summer's World Cup in Brazil.

Reports in Italy recently have suggested that the 56-year-old could walk away from his duties with the Azzurri when his existing contract expires next year.

However, speaking to reporters ahead of Friday's clash with Bulgaria, the former Fiorentina coach said he has yet to make his mind up on his future.

"I'm not bothered about the speculation," Prandelli stated. "I am solely concentrating on our World Cup qualifiers.

"I know that I have a job which attracts a lot of rumours but I have not yet decided what I will do."

Prandelli, who is credited with breathing fresh life into Italy's national team following a disastrous World Cup campaign in 2010, went on to claim that the players are equally deserving of praise for the country's resurgence on the international scene.

"The guys have helped me a lot," he added. "They all know their abilities and a coach looks very good when he has players like that."

Italy's meeting with the Bulgarians is scheduled to kick off at 20:45 CET.

I NEVER DOUBTED CHELSEA MOVE

Willian has revealed that his "dream" move to Chelsea had been on the cards for months before he eventually signed for the English outfit.

The Brazil international had been linked with a move to Liverpool and Tottenham during the transfer window, only for Chelsea to apparently sneak in under the radar to secure the attacking midfielder's signature.

However, Willian has explained that a move to Stamford Bridge was always the most likely outcome.

"They [Chelsea] made an offer two months ago but I was not allowed to leave," the playmaker told Brazilian television station Sportv.

"I kept following the club and I used to go to London to follow Chelsea whenever I had free time and now my dream has come true.

"Other clubs were interested, but my intention and dream of playing for Chelsea made the difference."

Willian made just 15 appearances for Anzhi before agreeing his move to Chelsea on August 25.

RICKIE LAMBERT TO START FOR ENGLAND

Lambert came off the bench to score the winning goal against Scotland on debut last month.

Now, with Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge both injured, the 31-year-old will get his first start at international level on Friday night when England host Moldova at Wembley.

Lambert was joint-top English scorer in the Premier League last season after scoring 15 goals.

He has maintained that form so far this season, following up his debut header against the Scots with a strike for Southampton against West Brom.

"I have picked the team and Rickie Lambert will start, yes," Hodgson said in an interview with radio reporters.

"He deserves a chance. I can't deny had Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge had been available, it would have been harder for him to get a starting place but I am more than happy to have a player of his calibre to start this game."

Hodgson all but named the starting XI for the qualifier against Moldova.

Kyle Walker, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka and either Ashley Cole or Leighton Baines are expected to start in front of Joe Hart while Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Jack Wilshere will definitely play in midfield.

Hodgson confirmed that Arsenal's Theo Walcott and Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck will provide Lambert with assistance from the flanks.

NASRI REGRETS HIS MISTAKES

France midfielder Samir Nasri has admitted that he regrets the series of events which resulted in him being frozen out of the national side.

The Manchester City star was involved in a controversial bust-up with journalists after his side were eliminated from Euro 2012.

Nasri was handed a three-match ban in the aftermath of his bad conduct and was overlooked for France squads for nearly a year, before Didier Deschamps offered him a second chance for the summer tour of South America.

And having previously spoken of his desire to make amends back in May, the 26-year-old has again emphasised how thankful he is for being given another opportunity.

"I have a second chance," he told Le Parisien.

"I have nothing to prove. At every opporunity, I will make sure I am good. I have made errors of communication. I opened my mouth too often.

"Now I'm focusing on my goals. I know my priorities."

Nasri is part of a group of French players dubbed 'Generation 1987', including the likes of Jeremy Menez and Karim Benzema, who have been found guilty of indiscretions with the national side and Nasri has blamed pressure for their struggles.

He said: "We have all had our problems. At times we did not behave ourselves in our respective careers. We did not deal with the pressure and expectation from the media - since 2004, they've been calling us a golden generation.

"I've just turned 26. We're starting to mature, to grow. We mssed our first chance. We do not want to miss the second."

France continue their bid for 2014 World Cup qualification with a trip to Georgia on Friday.