MACAU (AFP) - Star midfielder Michael Ballack said he had nothing left to prove in the latter part of his career and backed Chelsea's 30-somethings to have the last laugh over Manchester United's Alex Ferguson.
The 31-year-old newly-wed dismissed Ferguson's comments about Chelsea's age as pre-season chatter, insisting there was still room for improvement under new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
"Our team can still improve. If you are 30 or 31 you are not old," said Ballack after joining Chelsea's tour here.
"Last year Maka (Claude Makelele) was 34 and he played very well. I have nothing to prove, this type of thing happens over the summer, people talking about each other."
And Ballack said new signing Deco, 30, could prove the difference as Chelsea aim to make up for narrowly missing out on last year's Premiership and Champions League titles to United.
"Maka has left and Deco has came in. We have a good squad and we need a good squad. We want to win a lot of trophies so we need a big, good squad," Ballack said.
"Deco is a fantastic player, he gives us more quality and that is what we need. You don't have to sign a lot of players, just quality."
Ballack also urged Frank Lampard, another golden oldie at 30, to put pen to paper on a reported record-breaking deal.
"It would be fantastic if he could stay at Chelsea. He is a big player for the club and has done a lot for the club, but it is up to him. He knows we are all behind him," said the German.
Scolari has refused to react to Ferguson's comments, but both Deco and Michael Essien have also defended Chelsea's squad.
Ballack said he took to heart from Chelsea's strong finish last season which left them two points behind United in the Premier League.
"If the season was two weeks longer maybe we could have won the league, but we are always competitive," he said.
"Man U are always competitive and have had two fantastic seasons and won the double last year. But we were very close so this year (we) will aim to be first."
Ballack was given extra time off after Germany reached the Euro 2008 final. He married long-time sweetheart Simone Lambe in his home country earlier this month.
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to escobar, learn to spell and to write properly, it appears that you are illiterate, mind you you are a chelsea supporter after all, the only reason you won anything was because that russian @#$% paid everyone off, get a grip on reality and stop throwing dummies out ya pram you ponse. lots of love, Man utd supporter. or should that be gay boy?
for all the Man Utd fans(which sounds gay by the way) shut the ... up, if that wonder kid doesn't play good the entire team suck's, what did you won when ronaldo was still inexperienced, a few videos on youtube and a second place that should have went to arsenal.2 years you stood by and watched Chelsea kick some "premier league @#$%", achieve record after record and beat you're sorry @#$% 3-0 on Stamford.Will see this season if you all with you're "young" team will achieve 3th spot in the premiership and watch the "oldies but godies" from Chelsea battle with the "kids" from Arsenal for the 1st spot and CPL. come on Blues, let man gay utd and the AIG(america's inexperinced gay) group to make money by selling coke like shirts and rooney faced hamburgers and achieve what they acieve better in the whole world - obesity.As for that imbecile but very good manager named Ferguson he should mind his own bussiness and tie up ronaldo to a lamp at old tradford so he doesn't run away to madrid, hipocrits.
fergie was rattled big time by mourinho and scolari is older wiser and more experienced than jose so ths time next season fergie will be in a home drool falling slowly on his chest with lifeless eyes still wondering what the @#$% just hit him come on the blue revolution throw away your walking sticks and finally put "sir" alex to pasture
Why do United always say that they're the best team in the world? i think the best team in the world would just obliterate every other team. didnt United lose to Bolton last season? Chelsea dont go around saying that they're the best team. Ferguson is an imbecile
Honestly I am fed up with Fergie he's always saying stuff like the other team are losers this player will leave that one is too late and if i had a choice i would kick him out of the premier league for abuse for no reason to other teams Chelsea are a match for man u and he just doesnt want to admit it and besides Ballack is excellent player and has a long future at the bridge
ballack got married this month mmmmmmmmmmmm.wonder who was bridesmaid,usally his job
well rooney,and the lads,will go on and prove there worth.
but man u our buying young players not old men ie deco 3o its good buying these players but you need young players to come through to play with these older players that brigs them on to be great players that is what man u do most of the time ,man u have a young goalkeeper but he was injured all of last season , fergi was on about this not saying the age , if you play or no about football you can see this , i know a lot of hard chelsea fans and they say the same , there is some good young boys at chelsea and they should be used on the bench brought on in some big games or cl matches , this is what fergi does and chelsea does not ???? , me pompey fan ,
but man u our buying young players not old men ie deco 3o its good buying these players but you need young players to come through to play with these older players that brigs them on to be great players that is what man u do most of the time ,man u have a young goalkeeper but he was injured all of last season , fergi was on about this not saying the age , if you play or no about football you can see this , i know a lot of hard chelsea fans and they say the same , there is some good young boys at chelsea and they should be used on the bench brought on in some big games or cl matches , this is what fergi does and chelsea does not ???? , me pompey fan ,
pompey to beat chelsea at the bridge ?? come on pompey ballack you play well when you want to old legs it tells , its worth a bet ??
Maybe I am wrong but aren't the likes Giggs, Scholes, Neville and Van Der Sar getting on a bit?
Well they do have the Chelsea pensioners wonder if any of them will be in your team at least they would play for the badge and the idology of your club money can not buy heart and sprit ever Moscow 08 mr ballack remember one thing man utd will never die!
chelsea's best chance of a cup this season is lampard buying one at tescos
well said BALLACK!
eat ur own @#$% fergie .. cos there r no takers!
Another wonderful comment by Dorin c.
What logic, what clinical dysection.
What a stunningly brilliant argument you put forward.
obviously fergi feeling the threat(of chelsea),thats why he commented that. He is also trying to divert the Ronaldo saga by spurting that comment. lets answer him with the positive team work the blues can have compare to them!!
chelsea are rattled
Shut it Fergi because we will have you chewing that chewing gum in no time
SIRSARSORSURSERSURISURI FERGYFORGYFURGYFARGYFARTY
FARTING OUT OF CONTROL....
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