Michael Ballack

[Matterz 67]

Do thnk he is getting on a bit, can be world class, just doesnt seem to happen all that often these days. Gives away a lot of free kicks and loses the ball often too, would still prefer to see someone younger and more of a playmaker come in for him Like Van Der Vaart or maybe even Diego

[the wes 7,212]

11:00 AM 24 April, 2009 Zenit St Petersburg could be about to move for Chelsea Football Club’s Michael Ballack.

Although the Blues have extended the Germany international’s stay at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season, Zenit have placed him at the top of their wanted list.

The Russian giants are set to offer Ballack a hugely-lucrative package to make the move, and German legend Lothar Matthaus believes a transfer could be on the cards.

"At Chelsea Ballack is just present rather than right in the thick of things,” he told Sport Bild. “He is a nominal player at the big London club - that is not an insult.

"The squad is packed with top stars. To establish yourself as a leading player there is hard. Ballack has not managed it. He is always in the first team. The question is only: for how much longer?"

[thejolta 1]

I can't believe there isn't a thread on here about Ballack. In my opinion, he's gotta go this summer. His wages are what 120,000? There are far too many matches where Essien and Mikel are forced to play in the holding role because for whatever reason Hiddink still thinks Ballack is our best option at Central Mid. Ballack has been incredibly painful to watch this year. He has no power on his shots anymore, plays piss poor defense, and is holding back some of our other players from getting time in midfield. His passing which always looks fantastic for Germany has been so hit and miss with him playing all kinds of balls straight for the defender. When he got his 2nd yellow in the 2nd leg of the Barca match I was actually thrilled because I can't stand seeing the man in our Starting XI.

He has 1 year left on his contract right? I'm not opposed to him staying next year as long as the new manager doesn't decide to keep sticking him in the starting XI, but for my own sanity I'd like to see him sold this summer. I'm not sure who would be willing to pay for his wages, but selling him back to Bayern (either Munich or Leverkusen) would be wonderful. This might also give Joe Cole that chance to play in the midfield role more often next to Frank.

Sincerely,

Ballack's Biggest Hater

[Matterz 67]

Whilst i see your point, I still think Ballack has so much offer this club. i would keep him but play him a lot less, maybe keep him on the bench more and rotate him, almost like we did with Makelele in his last season. Would be sad to see Ballack go tbh, but I really do get your point about his wages, they are enormous.

[the wes 7,212]

Whilst i see your point, I still think Ballack has so much offer this club. i would keep him but play him a lot less, maybe keep him on the bench more and rotate him, almost like we did with Makelele in his last season. Would be sad to see Ballack go tbh, but I really do get your point about his wages, they are enormous.

Ballack is a donkey its time for ballack to move on

[EskWeston 696]

I would rather see Ballack move on myself. He is just not the same player anymore and i would rather see us move forward with a new player than stick with Ballack for another season because he is Michael Ballack. In my opinion he has had a poor season.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I personally feel Ballack has had a very good second half to the season and has been an unsung hero over the last three or four months. He is being played in defensive midfield where he has been shown to be very powerful and efficient in that particular role, and has been very consistent in his performances. I think his role has become very much like that of Makelele's last season, and when called into the side, has been solid and assured for us. Whilst I wouldn't mind whether he stays or goes, I certainly believe that his season has not been a poor one at all.

[SystemBlueBob 0]

I guess I am in the minority

I have no problem letting him stay on with us next season. I want to see how he reacts to the next manager

In most of the 2nd half this season, he played pretty darn well, imo

The guy has talent and could be a big asset for us if the next manager uses him the right way

[chelseapaul 0]

WTF!!

The man himself has stated he's willing to take a pay cut to stay at Chelsea ffs.

[NoFear 23]

I seriously dont get y ppl continue to slate him.. Imho he has had a good season if not a gr8 one.. He has stuck to his positions and has played a good distribution game which is wat he has been clearly asked to do..

I wudnt mind if he has 1 more season like the one Maka had in his last yr for Chelsea !!

[the wes 7,212]

MICHAEL BALLACK has landed another blow on crisis-club Chelsea by revealing he might quit at the end of the season.

Just hours after the Blues were banned from signing any new players until January 2011, Ballack is threatening to leave the club even shorter on bodies.

The German international midfielder, who will be 33 this month, is in the final year of his £130,000-a-week Chelsea contract.

The club have not even opened talks over a new deal.

Ballack said last night: "I will decide after the 2010 World Cup if I will continue playing or if I will stop.

"I will only continue as long as I still enjoy myself and have ambitions in the sport."

TheSun

Edited September 5, 2009 by the wes

[Term-X 7,891]

he along with shevchenko will go down in Chelsea history as the two mega signings the club has ever made

he' a commercial hit and sells shirts, he makes the club look bigger..

Samsung wont be happy with this unless we sign another global name.

[warnie_666 1,081]

For Fuck Sake....nowhere have they mentioned he is quitting the club.

He will retire from International Football is what he is saying.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

This is from the Sun, to be fair.

[Kez 2,727]

They love to twist things