Listening to Talksport this morning and Brazil is saying he has heard from a "very reliable source close to Chelsea" that Ballack will not start!

I don't know if there is any truth in it, but I would be stunned if it's true.

Apparently both Ashley Cole and Vidic are big doubts through injury.

Heard Ashley is ok to play but not heard a thing on the Ballack rumour .

I've heard from reliable sources(the voices in my head) that the rumours about Ballack are nothing more than just wishful thinking from the media.

i wouldnt believe anything he said. he was probably drunk still.

Well, I haven't been able to find anything else on the subject so I guess you are right. It certainly would be unbelievable if true.

None of the Tv-stations here in Germany said something about Ballack not playing. The only thing they say is that it will be Ballacks most important moment ever if Chelsea will lift the trophy tonight. So I think it's all just bollocks and Ballack is playing and hopefully scoring. Ah, doesn't matter who scores as long as we gonna win this f**king CL

I'm sure the German media would've picked up in it, if there's even a remotely plausible reason to suggest Ballack might not play tonight.

i hope he plays. ive got him to score first goal tonight. hes been fantastic lately.

he'll play and so will ash

i hope vidic doesnt though

he'll play and so will ash

i hope vidic doesnt though

he'll play and so will ash

i hope vidic doesnt though

I'm pretty sure the Ballack story is a hoax going round Moscow as Fiona from GMTV said she heard the rumour in Moscow from some fan this morning.

from bbc.co.uk:

1543: The Big Cheese will be taking over from me in about 20 minutes (she's not really big, that's just a term of endearment) and thank the Lord, my eyes are beginning to bleed blue and red. BBC Sport's Jonathan Legard has had a chat with Michael Ballack's agent and he says there is no truth in the rumour that the German will not start for Chelsea.

He and Cech are the two names I am 100% sure will be on the teamsheet. One of our best players at the moment and he wont be in the game? Complete and utter crap

here's to Mick Ballack's first touch of ol' big ears

IF we don't play ballack then that means one of two things. Essien lampard and maka as the midfield 3, which is a lot more defensive. And either Belletti or Paulo at RB who SAF will attack with Ronaldo in a floating role

That Brazil knows his stuff.