Ballack Joins Chelsea

[spa2k]

Chelsea have unveiled Germany captain Michael Ballack as their first signing of the summer.

The 29-year-old midfielder has arrived on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with Bayern Munich.

Ballack, who helped the German club to three league titles during his four years at the club, has signed a three-year deal with the Blues.

He was also coveted by Manchester United but instead chose to move to Stamford Bridge.

Ballack also asked the advice of his fellow countrymen who play in the Premiership before making his decision to move to England.

"I am happy to be here and to sign the contract," said Ballack.

Source = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...sea/4769763.stm

My question would have to be why??

Why apart from money would any sane footballer want to join Chelsea. Look at their summer signings from last year, 40+million was spent on players who spent half of the season or more sitting on the bench doing sod all.

No one is guaranteed a game ever but the depth of the squad is amazing, there are so many players who are either world class or close to world class so why would you sign knowing you may not get a game? If, as most footballers claim, all they want to do is play why then sign for a club where there is only a possibliity of playing?

[BigGiantHead]

According to him, it was time for a change.

But I think he did it for the money. The Chelsea deal will make him the highest paid footballer, if I recall correctly. He'll be practically minting money at the Bridge.

Methinks he'll get a rude wake-up call when he finds himself on the bench all to often next season.

[Keito]

According to him, it was time for a change.

But I think he did it for the money. The Chelsea deal will make him the highest paid footballer, if I recall correctly. He'll be practically minting money at the Bridge.

Methinks he'll get a rude wake-up call when he finds himself on the bench all to often next season.

...which would serve him right if that's his analogy ;)

[Kriz]

He knew that at Chelsea, his wages would be a hell of a lot more than they would if was to go to any other team.

[Martyn]

I think he will be a regular at Chelsea, Mourinho said he wants to play Ballack and Lampard together. Makelele is the lynchpin for Chelsea and does a lot of hard unnoticed work for them so he will always play.

So it looks like Essien will be getting dropped :)!

[Brodel]

But I think he did it for the money. The Chelsea deal will make him the highest paid footballer, if I recall correctly. He'll be practically minting money at the Bridge.

?130,000 a week. Just imagine how much you could buy each day and still be making money. :wacko::

[Powa]

Michael who? :cool:

[cragdoo]

?130,000 a week. Just imagine how much you could buy each day and still be making money. :wacko::

?130K a week for kicking a ball, fecking disgusting and just goes to show how moronic the football world is becoming

let's put this into perspective , Doctors/Surgeons who work long hours and save peoples lives get paid about the same in a year as this nancy-boy-f****t does in a week.(he will probably moan about the number of games he has to play as well)

Pathetic pathetic

what the f*ck is the world coming to !

[leesmithg]

They, the F.A., F.I.F.A., & U.E.F.A. have go to sort out this crap.

If a club at the end of the season spends more than it gets from sponsership, gate receipts, shirt sales other merchandise and prize money, is less than their outgoings they should be dropped a division.

It's just turning football into a rich mans game and taking it away from it's working class roots.

I can't afford to watch a game at (ex) Highbury anymore, cost be the thick end of ?250 to take my family there including travel.

They're should be a wage cap also. A win/draw bonus should also be removed.

It's making a mockery of the game.

[Super8 and Tab]

he'll regret it, the midfield spot is covered by Lampard who will never be dropped and Makelele who CANNOT be dropped coz he is too important. unless mourinho gives him a role behind the striker which is not his strongest role he will only get a handful of starts like Robben, Crespo, Essien, SWP, Duff and other talents.

[bayrider]

Anyone else think Ballack is a tad overrated? I don't follow football as much as I'd like, especially during hockey season but watching him at Eurocup, some Bayern games and UEFA, I thought he was good, but really overrated. I mean, half the games I watched, he was barely visible. He wasn't doing much. Seems like this guy is a floater and only shows up to play when he wants to.

[Shibby]

this guy is probley abit like Laruen Robert, Got talent but wastes it and is all for the money