bad_meetz_evil
04-14-2006, 10:53 AM
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/SPORT/football/04/13/ballack.chelsea.reut/story.ballack2.getty.jpg
BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- Germany's World Cup captain Michael Ballack says he is in "serious" talks regarding a move to Chelsea from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
"Nothing has been decided yet and nothing signed but I'm in serious talks with Chelsea," Ballack, 29, said on the sidelines of a book presentation in Munich.
Ballack has spoken with Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho. "You can assume that I had a good feeling during that conversation. I have a feeling for myself and I know what I want," he said.
The midfielder star's contract at Bayern runs out at the end of the season.
Ballack has rejected a reported offer of 36 million euros ($43.76 million) to sign a new deal with the German champions and his agent Michael Becker said on Wednesday that they were in advanced negotiations about a move to Chelsea.
Ballack added on Thursday that he hoped the transfer could be completed before the World Cup begins on June 9 so that discussions or speculation about his future would not interfere with Germany's preparations for the tournament.
"At the age of 29 this is my last chance to make a move abroad," Ballack said. "Chelsea is a top club that is very strong in the league in England and play very, very good in international competition."
Ballack admitted that he was annoyed at Bayern Munich executives for recently questioning his motives and character.
Commercial manager Uli Hoeness told Kicker newspaper on Monday that he believed Ballack was interested in getting acquainted with a "new currency" more than a new language or culture.
Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had also questioned Ballack's character in big matches.
"I was a bit irritated by the comments from Uli and Kalle in the last few weeks," said Ballack.
"You shouldn't make a move because of the money. It's great to earn so much as a professional soccer player but money doesn't mean anything when you're going about your profession day in and day out. The only thing that counts is sport."
BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- Germany's World Cup captain Michael Ballack says he is in "serious" talks regarding a move to Chelsea from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
"Nothing has been decided yet and nothing signed but I'm in serious talks with Chelsea," Ballack, 29, said on the sidelines of a book presentation in Munich.
Ballack has spoken with Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho. "You can assume that I had a good feeling during that conversation. I have a feeling for myself and I know what I want," he said.
The midfielder star's contract at Bayern runs out at the end of the season.
Ballack has rejected a reported offer of 36 million euros ($43.76 million) to sign a new deal with the German champions and his agent Michael Becker said on Wednesday that they were in advanced negotiations about a move to Chelsea.
Ballack added on Thursday that he hoped the transfer could be completed before the World Cup begins on June 9 so that discussions or speculation about his future would not interfere with Germany's preparations for the tournament.
"At the age of 29 this is my last chance to make a move abroad," Ballack said. "Chelsea is a top club that is very strong in the league in England and play very, very good in international competition."
Ballack admitted that he was annoyed at Bayern Munich executives for recently questioning his motives and character.
Commercial manager Uli Hoeness told Kicker newspaper on Monday that he believed Ballack was interested in getting acquainted with a "new currency" more than a new language or culture.
Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had also questioned Ballack's character in big matches.
"I was a bit irritated by the comments from Uli and Kalle in the last few weeks," said Ballack.
"You shouldn't make a move because of the money. It's great to earn so much as a professional soccer player but money doesn't mean anything when you're going about your profession day in and day out. The only thing that counts is sport."