Ballack Interview

[abramovich]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ballack-ancelotti-was-overruled-in-chelsea-decision-to-release-me-2137961.html?

Discusses various subjects but I was particularly displeased about the way the club had informed him about their decision not to re-sign him, through his agent.

I can see the reasoning behind the actual decision but the manner in which it was delivered leaves a lot to be desired. Things like that happen with CFC way too often for that to be a media invention or a rare exception to the rule. I don't know if it's Roman's style or Gourlay's, or whoever else, but it's classless. The player has spent four years with the club and won big trophies. A little show of respect would have been nice.

Edited November 19, 2010 by abramovich

[The Brit]

I hate it when goons like Ian Wright (literally in his case) accuse chelsea of being classless, but so much of their behaviour behind the scenes is just that...ballack may not have deserved a new deal, but he deserved to be treated with respect...just like...Ray, Jose...etc

[jcm28]

Ballack is really a class act. I think we should have kept him for at least 2 more seasons.

[icecoolguy22]

We definitely could have used his skills and leadership in recent time. I had my doubt about him in the last 4 years, but he did his job, especially in those european matches. It is a huge pity we didn't get him earlier, a 27-28 year old Ballack was as good as anyone out there.

[ethicalstrategy]

A top player and a top man too. How I wish we still had him at the moment.

[german-blue]

Im absolutly happy that we didnt re sign his contract. Ballack has hardly played a game this season..his injuries are getting worse and worse. And he is 34 right now..I dont think he will ever come back to anything near top form to be honest.

[Nibs]

Im absolutly happy that we didnt re sign his contract. Ballack has hardly played a game this season..his injuries are getting worse and worse. And he is 34 right now..I dont think he will ever come back to anything near top form to be honest.

Totally agree. It's another example of how players become "better" when they are not playing or aren't available any more - bit like Joe Cole in the World Cup. We've had some very poor performances of late but the notion that Ballack would have made all the difference is stuff of make believe.

He had some good games during his spell with us but he had a lot of average ones and poor ones too. And as GB says, at 34 it was time to move on - no question about it (but that should have been done in the right way).

[Uno]

I wasnt that bothered when he was let go but its clear now that it was a mistake.

[youlots]

Nibs - the notion that he may have made a difference is as equally valid as the reverse notion don't you think?

[Nibs]

Nibs - the notion that he may have made a difference is as equally valid as the reverse notion don't you think?

Well anything is possible.

But I'm going on the fact that he isn't the player he was. IMO, he wasn't great whilst he was with us, so why would he be any good now? He would be another obstacle for the likes of Josh and Matic(who in hindsight we shouldn't have sent out on loan).

Let's get Joey, Belletti and Deco back whilst we're at it....................

[Zola]

Loved every minute of Ballack's existence at the club.

A real live wire and plenty of passion.

We are an easy target for people Like Wright etc to have a pop when its blatantly obvious we don't do things the right way a lot of the time. At times the board really does give the impression that it lacks class.

Edited November 19, 2010 by Zola

[Chippy]

I always thought Ballack was a bit underestimated by a lot of people on here, I was in the maybe we should have given him one more season Camp (had it been on a reduced wage with some sort of Pay as you Play Bonus) that said with the addition of Ramires, the return of Essien and the aim of bringing the youngsters through I was not too upset when he left.

I do think he would be very valuable now even not at his best as his leadership and his calm effective play would definately have been an improvement over the recent performances.

Back to the Artical, I really think we need a lesson in PR and things like this might go a way to explaining why players are eager to big up teams they go to.(maybe)

[Hutch]

Yet more talk of "classless Chelsea", and why? Because Ballack received the news from his agent. So?

Think of it this way. Nowadays, agents do the negotiating for their clients. Agents are the mouthpieces for their clients. Agents act as go-betweens and are the point of contact with the club. Players employ agents to manage all their financial and contractual affairs.

Would anyone have called the club classless or disrespectful to the player if Ballack or any other player's agent had been notified of a pay rise? Of course they wouldn't. Well it works both ways. Or is the rule that it's acceptable for good news (e.g. a contract extension or pay rise) to be given via a third party, but that bad news (e.g. contract termination, pay freeze/reduction) must be given directly to the player himself?

[sizzler85]

Love Ballack ... what wonderful attitude for an international superstar player ?

He gave his everything in a match .. He readily agreed to curb his attacking instincts to allow lampard to move forward .. You cannot expect that from a top player ... His interview was real class .. sad to see him not shown the respect he deserved ... wonderful man ..

Always I thought we have a man to stand up to the opposition ... Ballacks , Terrys , Drogbas are one of a kind !

[Nibs]

He gave his everything in a match ..

......AT TIMES.

You obviously missed the matches where he sometimes strolled about as if he had a cigar on the go.

[Tea Bar Boy]

I always thought Ballack was a bit underestimated by a lot of people on here, I was in the maybe we should have given him one more season Camp (had it been on a reduced wage with some sort of Pay as you Play Bonus) that said with the addition of Ramires, the return of Essien and the aim of bringing the youngsters through I was not too upset when he left.

I do think he would be very valuable now even not at his best as his leadership and his calm effective play would definately have been an improvement over the recent performances.

Back to the Artical, I really think we need a lesson in PR and things like this might go a way to explaining why players are eager to big up teams they go to.(maybe)

Agree with all of the above . Would have been nice to give him a good send off at the bridge

[german-blue]

I wasnt that bothered when he was let go but its clear now that it was a mistake.

Why ??

It is clear that it was just the right thing to do. He would have payed lots of salary just for him beeing out injured. He played 4 games this season so far... And he aint gonna come back from his current injury until January. Not even speaking about how totally sh*t he was in that 4 games.

Ballack is a decent player but he is over his peak and totally injury prone.. I think Leverkusen made a huge mistake in signing him, they have promising players at his position, he earns lots of of money and if he is EVER going to be something like an above-average Bundesliga player again remains to be seen.

[youlots]

Well I'm sure we're all glad for you for your complete certainty on the matter.

[ethicalstrategy]

Why ??

It is clear that it was just the right thing to do. He would have payed lots of salary just for him beeing out injured. He played 4 games this season so far... And he aint gonna come back from his current injury until January. Not even speaking about how totally sh*t he was in that 4 games.

Ballack is a decent player but he is over his peak and totally injury prone.. I think Leverkusen made a huge mistake in signing him, they have promising players at his position, he earns lots of of money and if he is EVER going to be something like an above-average Bundesliga player again remains to be seen.

It's a big leap to assume that he would be injured if he had stayed. I don't know how he broke his shin but chances are it wouldn't have happened if he was still here.

The rational for letting him go was sound. He was reaching the end of his career. He was on a lot of money at a time when we wanted to reduce our wage bill. He would have stood in the way of younger players getting their chances.

However, it doesn't seem that the younger players will get their chance anyway. Josh hasn't started. Bruma didn't play even though he was the only centre back left standing.

We can't undo what has been done and we've been unlucky with injuries to all of our key players. In the circumstances, it would have been really nice to have Ballack available.

Ballack's contribution to Chelsea's success over the last few years is much under rated.

[youlots]

Some balance at last.

[Ben]

Are you look being ironic?

I thought Ballack made the numbers up a bit in our midfield. Yes he had some good games, but never really lived up to his reputation. We could do with him now, but thats a lot down to letting too many players in one position go & not having adequate cover there.

I think Ramires will turn out ok, but he needs a lot more time. Yuri is a good player, but not suited to the central 3 position.

[youlots]

Ironic? About skilled, classy, gritty german footballers? Never.

[Spiller86]

Ah Ballack always dividing opinions, even after he has left. I was always a big fan of him, particularly the way he sucked his ego in and adapted to the team when he worked out we already had Frank to do what he did in Germany. His leadership would have helped us in recent times no doubt. But I'm not going to get into the argument of whether we should have kept him.

Just on the article, one wonders what exactly Carlo is responsible for in terms of personnel. He can't keep Ballack, seemingly couldn't keep Butch. Must be frustrating at times, having results demanded of him without having ultimate control over who goes and stays.

[Nibs]

Some balance at last.

OR a view which agrees more with your own! ;)

[Guest Sindre]

Could certainly use him. One of the best leaders out there, and without Terry he would be our perfect captain at the moment. Huge contribution to our double last season, and was always very, very underrated by quite a few Chelsea and rival supporters.