http://chelsea.rivals.net/default.asp?s ... id=8451229

''The Portuguese manager is now set to have a 'free reign' over 1st team affairs.''

''"I don't want to play football with a diamond any more, so I don't think it will be easy for Ballack.''

There were times last season when many argued that Ballack didn't warrant a place in the side, do we think Jose arm may have been twisted slightly to include him in his team selection, along with Sheva?

I have always thought that Herr Ballack wasn't Jose's man. Jose likes younger players and ones that aren't already superstars. MB doesn't fit either one of those. I also noticed that Ballack and Adidas came at about the same time and he is their #1 poster boy.

Doesn't really matter now the 4-3-3 puts him on the bench.

BTW. Why does Jose suddenly have 'free reign' over 1st team affairs?

My guess is he told RA/PK he'd walk if not.

BTW. Why does Jose suddenly have 'free reign' over 1st team affairs?

I thought he always did but also thought the signings and selection of both Sheva and Ballack suspect. I think there was perhaps more going on behind the scenes that the press got hold of last year

Because the first time the stopped giving him free reign, we finnished 2nd in the league

I think Ballack gets a bit of a bums wrap on here and that is perhaps a little unfair on him. I think he will earn his place back in the squad next season and will show that he is a good player worth retaining. I actually think reverting back to a 4-3-3 will suit him better than the 4-4-2 diamond of yesteryear.

I think Ballack gets a bit of a bums wrap on here and that is perhaps a little unfair on him. I think he will earn his place back in the squad next season and will show that he is a good player worth retaining. I actually think reverting back to a 4-3-3 will suit him better than the 4-4-2 diamond of yesteryear.

There is no denying that his vision and distribution are top nothc, so hopefully with more wide men he will have greater success due to thegreater number of options available to him

SCott

As long as he PLAY'S his way back into the team is fine by me and eveyone else i should think, especially JM.

I think the point people are trying to make is that at times last year he should have been dropped and was'nt.

Ballack can be class and next season i feel will be a huge test for both him and J.M.

If he dosent start to perform early then i can see a row on the cards .

Yes

BTW. Why does Jose suddenly have 'free reign' over 1st team affairs?

I thought he always did but also thought the signings and selection of both Sheva and Ballack suspect. I think there was perhaps more going on behind the scenes that the press got hold of last year

I have to agree, I'm really not sure Ballack and Sheva were 100% Jose choices, there was more going on there definitely, they don't scream Jose players to me - not like Drogba, Essien, Mikel.

The fact that buying these players then forced Jose into trying to adapt them into the team to try and get the best out of them just seems odd for a man of his obvious intelligence.

As for Ballack next season, I think he has a far better chance of playing himself into form than Sheva does - but there is no way I want him getting priority over another player just because of who he is. If he gets benched and moans then he will just have to deal with it.