Should Chelsea Re-Sign Michael Ballack?
When Michael Ballack joined Chelsea in the summer of 2006, he was hailed as the last piece in the jigsaw – a player of such pedigree and vast experience who could take the then-English Champions one step further. How ironic then that the arrival of the burly German captain in West London signalled the end of Chelsea‘s league dominance.
Four years on from his free transfer from Bayern Munich, the clock is ticking on Michael Ballack‘s Chelsea future. With Ballack‘s contract due to expire in the summer, should Chelsea re-sign the veteran midfielder?
While most football fans would argue that Michael Ballack has been a disappointing addition to the Premiership, it’s not that black and white. Here’s why:
Chelsea Should Re-sign Michael Ballack:
Cool as ice. Michael Ballack is coolness personified. A stable influence on and off the field of play, abuse from the stands and pressure from the opposition is like water off a duck’s back for the wily German. A family man at heart, Ballack is more likely to be caught watching the X-Factor than out cavorting with wannabe WAGs.
Born Leader. Captain of the German national team, having taken over from Oliver Kahn back in 2004, Michael Ballack has seen it all in his illustrious 15-year career. One of those players who has come so close to winning major silverware on so many occasions but has yet to net any of the sport’s highest honours – 2008 was particularly bad as losing finalist in the Champions League and Euro 2008 – Ballack‘s insatiable hunger inspires himself and his teammates.
Still something left in the tank. An enforcer in every sense of the word. Ballack is hard in the tackle and doesn’t shy away from a 50-50. He’s good with both feet, great in the air and can still chip in with the odd goal. But where Ballack is probably most effective is at retaining possession and easing pressure. A master at the art of enticing fouls, Ballack has an unparalleled ability to crumble under the slightest of touches, halting the run of play and allowing his teammates to re-organize.
Chelsea Should Not Re-sign Michael Ballack:
Much Ado About Nothing. Even Michael Ballack himself would probably admit that he’s never really lived up to expectations at Chelsea. The German football icon landed on English shores having conquered the Bundesliga and with Europe in his sights. Unfortunately for Chelsea fans, he’s been a shadow of the player he was in Munich and has often played so poorly that he’s made his free transfer look like a waste of money.
Money Pit. At over £100,000 a week, Michael Ballack is a veritable money pit. If he was at any other club he’d be on half of what he gets at Chelsea. Why do you think he wants to stay in West London for another two seasons? The weather?
Twilight Zone. The biggest stumbling block to Michael Ballack extending his stay in English football, or any professional league for that matter, is his age. Ballack will be 34 next season and while he was never the fastest on the pitch, he’s now getting so slow that even Ray Wilkins can show him a clean pair of heels at the training ground. Clearly past his best, Ballack‘s vision and anticipation tend to see him through matches these days. Ballack’s re-signing would also fly in the face of Chelsea‘s professed philosophy to buy young.
No foul! Michael Ballack performs one of his classic manoeuvres.
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I think Chelsea should definitely re-sign Ballack. For me, he dictates the pace of the game with accurate, precise passing. He also has a physical presence on the pitch which intimidates other teams-notably Arsenal in recent years. Whilst perhaps he has not contributed the goals that many predicted, he adds a stability to the defensive side of the midfield that has allowed Lampard to go on and have the most prolific season of his career to date. He has also contributed a large number of assists this season and in other seasons.
Therefore I think Chelsea would make a big mistake not to offer him a new contract.
Chelsea would be making a huge mistake not re-signing Ballack. Why is he not the dominate goal-scorer that he was at Bayern? Because Chelsea refuse to play him as an attacking midfielder. How do we know he still has the ability to be a dominate goal-scorer? Because he still is for Germany. Watch Ballack’s role at Chelsea. He is the “build-up” midfielder, his role is to set up the attack. His participation in the actual attack is limited, as they have him playing too far back.
When Chelsea signed Ballack he was an accomplished attacking midfielder. But over the past few seasons he has proved too slow, picked up far too many injuries and has hit the wrong side of 30. That’s why he now plays defensive midfield (you don’t need to be lighting quick in foot, just in mind). It’s got nothing to do with Chelsea.
Let’s give Roman Abramovich credit for something. He threw away a small fortune when he bought Ballack. At least he has the sense now not to throw good money after bad. Ballack is anonymous when he is on the pitch. He is supposed to be the enforcer, the hard man. What a joke. The quicker we see the back of him the better off Chelsea is. Go Blues (without Ballack).
Oh cmon guys!ofcourse he shud stay! he might nt score 2 many goals bt seeing running behing the ref is actually kinda fun!lol…GO BALLACK!
*seeing HIM running behind the ref..