Premier League - Ballack extends Chelsea stay

Eurosport - Wed, 03 Jun 11:02:00 2009

Michael Ballack has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him at Chelsea until June 2010.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Chelsea Michael Ballack - 0

"I am very happy to be staying at Chelsea for one more year as it was always my intention to play in London at least until the World Cup in 2010," Germany captain Ballack told Chelsea's official website.

"We had a fantastic end to the season by winning the FA Cup and we are all looking forward to taking this success into the new season under Carlo Ancelotti, our new manager."

Midfielder Ballack, 32, arrived at Stamford Bridge on a free transfer from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2006 and has made over 100 appearances for the Blues, scoring 20 goals in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

A Chelsea statement added: "Michael has been a key member of our team for three years so we are naturally very happy that we have agreed the extension."

Reda Maher / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 19 of 39

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  1. has never regained the form he showed at leverkusen

    From Gizmo, on Tue 2 Jun 10:58PM
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ­ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ­ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ­ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ­ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ­ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

    From Christina, on Tue 2 Jun 10:50PM

  3. Stamford Bridge Pensioner!

    From Simeon, on Tue 2 Jun 10:35PM

  4. I do not follow anyone but you have to admit that­ Ballack has been a true professional wherever he has­ played, like Klinsman and Voller and a few others from­ the German side before him. He is now part of an old­ Chelsea side and the Master is going to make sweeping­ changes as he strives for the holy grail which eludes­ him. He has to hold onto a few for continuity. How­ anyone can spend so much money on a toy or obsession is­ beyond me but all of us do not have the money to throw­ at a dream. Will he make it? Fifty fifty I'd say,­ but he'll buy in elsewhere in 3 years if not.

    From taff, on Tue 2 Jun 10:30PM

  5. OK , ,TWATS READ CAREFULLY: BALLACK WAS FREE!!!!! so­ chelsea have made no loses , , he was a steal!!!!! no­ cunnting of losses ok , , he was fricken free!!!!!

    From Donal S, on Tue 2 Jun 10:29PM

  6. berbatov is a peanut who thinks he can work when he­ wants , ballack puts in unseen work

    From handyandyisalways, on Tue 2 Jun 9:43PM

  7. Newton, Ballack has planned to end his career after the­ world cup and let the younger players step in as many­ German players do. So a one year extention is all that­ is planned for now. Nothing is written in stone so if­ all goes well this season and he changes his mind,­ other extension can be negotiated and neither the club­ nor Ballack would lose as much sleep about it as some­ of the fans here do.

    From go, on Tue 2 Jun 9:10PM

  8. Yes. Ballack is a very good player and i am glad he is­ staying at Chelsea!

    From Toby, on Tue 2 Jun 8:36PM

  9. tuscanvillan i believe that Ballack came in as a free­ transfer as he was out of contract... you might wana­ check into this before you talk...

    When Chelsea bought­ Ballack I thought it was a­ brilliant signing, however­ his performances­ particularly in the last part of the­ season I don't­ think were good enough. I'm­ surprised Chelsea are­ not just cutting their­ losses.
    From tuscanvillan, on Tue 2 Jun 6:39PM

    From Dervis G, on Tue 2 Jun 8:35PM

  10. "Michael has been a key member of our team for­ three years so we are naturally very happy that we have­ agreed the extension" If he's been such a key­ member of chelsea for the last 3 years why are they­ only offering him an extension to cover next season?­ Sounds like they'll be in the market pretty soon­ looking for a better player to replace him.

    From Newton81, on Tue 2 Jun 8:25PM

  11. i'm surprised how many people can't read­ Ballack properly. a player of his caliber is a must­ have at all cost. many compare him with lampard which­ doesn't make any sense, as Ballack ever since he­ came here, has never played in his role which he had a­ bayern as Lamps has it, but has been more of a­ defending midfield that has served as midfield anchor­ around whom the likes of Lampard Essien and Mikel move.­ He has been the point source of chelsea's midfield­ when he has played holding the team in balance. When he­ doesn't play it is clear out team is either all­ attack or all defend without much of a plan. I would­ have been extremely disappointed if we had let Ballack­ go as he has been a great architect behind the obvious­ results and for that he has always been unfairly­ critisized by people on such forums. glad to see the­ club understands his value and honors it. I am very­ pleased.

    From go, on Tue 2 Jun 7:56PM

  12. HE IS A VERY GOOD PLAYER IM HE STAYED

    From victoriaboer, on Tue 2 Jun 7:26PM

  13. funny people going on about us buying Ballack,when he­ was on a free transfer

    From marcia, on Tue 2 Jun 7:18PM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    When Chelsea bought Ballack I thought it was a­ brilliant signing, however his performances­ particularly in the last part of the season I don't­ think were good enough. I'm surprised Chelsea are­ not just cutting their losses.

    From tuscanvillan, on Tue 2 Jun 6:39PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    berbatov is quality, 9 league goals and the most­ assists in the premiership, , also 9, , ,whats wrong­ with that when he wasin evemn played as an outnout­ striker!!!!!!!!!!!! prove me wrong

    From Donal S, on Tue 2 Jun 6:23PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Ballack probably can't believe his luck in getting­ an extension to his contract... He has probably been­ the worst signing made by any of the so-called­ "Big Four' in recent years (and that includes­ Liverpool's signing of Keane and Man U's­ signing of Berbatov). Apart from his 'windmill­ arms' routine in the Barcelona game, what else can­ he be remembered for in a Chelsea shirt?

    From Lawrence, on Tue 2 Jun 6:12PM

  17. He is a good player i hope staying in chelsea will give­ him a champions league title.
    Because thats the only­ cup he needs.

    From eke4chelsea, on Tue 2 Jun 5:52PM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    panda mane gok Ballack main bola..main jahat boleh­ r..pe cis natang nih

    From hafizi, on Tue 2 Jun 5:51PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    cooool

    From David Villa, on Tue 2 Jun 5:47PM
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