Bastian Schweinsteiger

[Predator 114]

And he was happy with a change of management. All he did when Heynkes first arrived was constantly praise him. And yes the payment increase came during Van Gaals era. And to be fair, most of the clubs he played for were in his youth career, he's only played for 3 clubs in his major career.

[Superblue 6,372]

Michael Ballack wanted to retire at Chelsea and we all know how the brass handled that...I miss Ballack. Ribery is happy because he is one of the highest paid footballers in the world, he is loyal to the gold lining his pocket. I seem to recall him trying to engineer a move to Chelsea last season, but Bayern had none of it.

I agree with you spike, but unfortunately this comment could easily be copied and slightly amended to be used for John Terry. If Chelsea didn't pay him the earth, he would have gone to Man City. Yes I know he loves the club, but IMO the money Man City were waving in his face outweighed the loyalty.

What irked me about that whole situation was that he kept quiet and wouldn't comment, and then when the contract was signed he said it was never in doubt he wouldn't leave Chelsea. If that was the case why didn't he come out in public and say he didn't want to leave Chelsea and was currently in contract discussions to extend.

I love John but that situation did leave a bitter taste for me.

[Spike 12,049]

He [Ribéry] played for three clubs in his youth career them being: Conti Boulogne, Lille and US Bologne.

He has played for seven clubs in his professional career: US Boulogne, Alés, Stade Bretois, Metz, Galatasaray, Marseille and Bayern Munich.

I don't where this '3 clubs in his major career' nonsense comes from.

[Tricky 301]

Michael Ballack wanted to retire at Chelsea and we all know how the brass handled that...I miss Ballack.

Really? I thank the gods we let that over paid, over hyped, pace or a cart horse with a turning circle of a super tanker leave when we did. Made us so pedestrian / one paced in midfield and formed part of the player power committee who regularly undermined managers.

Having said that I wish him well, fantastic player in his prime.

[capriccioso 2,545]

For all the vitriol about him being the perfect Bavarian; wouldn't it be hilarious to see him move to 1860 Munich?

[Spike 12,049]

Really? I thank the gods we let that over paid, over hyped, pace or a cart horse with a turning circle of a super tanker leave when we did. Made us so pedestrian / one paced in midfield and formed part of the player power committee who regularly undermined managers.

Having said that I wish him well, fantastic player in his prime.

You do realise when he contract was running out he was very willing to take a pay cut? I believe a new contract (with decreased pay) was on the cards but Cunt-Boateng broke Ballack's leg.

http://www.clubcall.com/chelsea/ballack-facing-pay-cut-1068673.html

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/10032010/58/premier-league-paper-round-pay-cut-ballack.html

I miss Ballack.

[magicrico 175]

Ribery is a massive wanker, he's about as loyal as Ephialtes of Trachis or Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili.

Who?

[capriccioso 2,545]

Who?

Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks at Thermopylae, Dzhugashvilli was the birth name of Joseph Stalin, who betrayed virtually every high ranking Soviet politician in the 1920s and 30s.

[Spike 12,049]

Who?

The first one is the joker that showed the Persians the positional weakness of the Greek Armies at the Battle of Thermopylae (think of that hunchback from the film 300). And the second is just the direct translation of Joseph Stalin's Russian name. In case you didn't know Stalin 'purged' alot of his 'friends'.

[Beepu 1,714]

You do realise when he contract was running out he was very willing to take a pay cut? I believe a new contract (with decreased pay) was on the cards but Cunt-Boateng broke Ballack's leg.

http://www.clubcall....ut-1068673.html

http://uk.eurosport....ut-ballack.html

I miss Ballack.

Me too!! One of my favorites, i still hate boateng to this day and wanted to rage when someone suggested we go for him. I would love for him to retire here and become a legend.

[Wilson 358]

“@TransferNewsCen: Chelsea's representatives will meet with the agent of Schweinsteiger on Saturday before traveling to Munich to... http://t.co/ipVIWR4p”

Wouldn't mind him at Chelsea

[DDA 9,924]

I hate his head but he is a very good player and the kinda player who would fit into Chelsea nicely. Hope this is true!

[Spike 12,049]

Bastian not Bastion.

[Superblue 6,372]

This would be the best signing of the summer if we got him - he is one of the best all round midfielders in world football and plays the pivot role for Bayern with a defensive midfielder (ie Mikel) and for germany with a box to box midfielder (ie ramires).

It will take some mind to get him from bayern!

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

This would be fucking unreal, please happen, PLEASE!!!!!!!!