| 18.03.2010 |
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| There were sadly familiar scenes for Chelsea fans on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge as the London club once again had its dreams of dominating Europe extinguished in acrimony and controversy. Inter Milan came to town and delivered the killer blow previously dealt by the likes of Liverpool, Barcelona and Manchester United in previous seasons to enhance the curse that periodically settles over Chelsea in this competition. There were also the usual distasteful scenes of bitterness and the sadly predictable sight of a red card being waved at Didier Drogba. For Michael Ballack, Chelsea's German midfielder, it was a case of personal history repeating. Ballack has been longing for Champions League success ever since he was cruelly denied as a Bayer Leverkusen player in the 2002 final by Real Madrid. This quest was one of the main motivations behind moving from Bayern Munich to London in 2006. But it so far hasn't turned out how he hoped it would. He has experienced European heartache in every one of his seasons in Chelsea blue. This, however, may be the last time that Ballack has to go through this sadistic drama, at least with Chelsea. Tuesday night's defeat to the Italian champions may be the straw the breaks the Russian billionaire camel's back.  According to reports in the British press, Chelsea owner Roman Abromovich, a man equally possessed by dreams of winning the Champions League, is ready to swing the axe and build a new Chelsea team capable of becoming European champions. Discussions have been held with manager Carlo Ancelotti over which new players could be bought and which old ones can be sold. This could mean the end of the road for the London aristocrats' more senior players – Ballack included. Ballack's current contract with Chelsea ends in June, the month in which he will begin another so-far fruitless quest. Ballack will be leading Germany in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in an attempt to win his first international trophy but at the same time he may be searching for a new club. Talk of a new one-year extension to keep him at Chelsea until 2011 began before Inter Milan's visit to West London this week. The atmosphere in the Stamford Bridge halls of power is now very different. Should Ballack find himself to be excess to requirements, the 33-year old may be shocked to find that the world’s biggest clubs – those who wooed him during that heady summer four years ago when he choose the Premiership over the Spanish and Italian leagues – may not be beating down his door as they once did. If Chelsea are willing to cut Ballack loose, the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and the Milan clubs are unlikely to see the worth in paying to have his ageing legs in their midfield. Even if the team at Real Madrid undergoes another of its compulsive refits this summer, the onus will be on speedy attackers and solid defenders. Barcelona are pretty much the finished article and may only add a bauble or two to compliment an already outstanding array of jewels. AC Milan are creaking towards their own collective retirement and will have more than enough pensioners on their books without adding a Chelsea one. Inter seem happy with what they’ve got. All of this could persuade Ballack to return to the green green grass of home. Sentimentality and a case of unfinished business might bring Bayer Leverkusen to Ballack's mind as a possible location for his potential Bundesliga return, along with the fact that Leverkusen are currently a title-challenging outfit. It would take a hard heart not to see the romance in returning to Leverkusen just as they look set to qualify for the Champions League again. But Jupp Heynckes has placed an emphasis on youth at the heart of his rebuilding and Ballack would look positively geriatric beside Toni Kroos and Arturo Vidal.  Bayern Munich, where Ballack enjoyed a glittering domestic career, are also likely to say 'thanks but no thanks.' Depending on what mood Director of Sport Christian Nerlinger is currently in, Bayern either will be focusing on developing youth players for the first team or buying the world's most coveted stars. Ballack, unfortunately, fits in neither category these days. If Ballack did come back to Germany, his experience and expertise would suit a number of mid-table clubs which currently lack a player who could easily adapt to the role of holding midfielder and distributor they currently lack. If Ballack was willing to concede that his marauding days were over, he could be just what VfB Stuttgart need to shore up a creative midfield which lacks steel since the departure of Thomas Hitzlsperger to Lazio. Ballack could be the man to put his foot on the ball, hold up the play and then feed more adventurous players with the killer pass. Similarly VfL Wolfsburg, should they arrest their decline and remain in the Bundesliga, could do with a midfielder with vision, as well as a player who is worth his weight in gold in terms of leadership qualities. The Wolves have been all at sea this season but a player of Ballack's standing and command could steady such a listing ship. Alternatively, Ballack may find a new challenge at Hoffenheim whose meteoric rise has slowed to a mundane, mediocre slog. There is obviously something there in a team which was playing village soccer mere seasons ago and with Ballack anchoring the midfield, Hoffenheim could build on their early promise. Plus Ballack has experience of playing in a rich man's vanity project. Of course, predicting Ballack's future moves is like reading tea leaves. But one day - and it may be sooner rather than later - his days at Chelsea will end and one of the modern game's most iconic players will be looking for a new home. Who knows - maybe one of the German clubs above will put out the welcome mat. |
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