Chelsea have decided not to renew Michael Ballack’s contract, and so the German international has been released by the club.
While Chelsea have been locked in negotiations with Ballack throughout the season aimed at tying up a new deal, the Blues have now withdrawn their offer because of excessive wage demands.
Germany captain Ballack arrived on a free transfer from Bayern Munich in 2006 and will now be available for nothing again after he was refused a two-year deal by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy. A one-year contract with reduced terms was was turned down by the 33-year-old.
“Chelsea Football Club can confirm Michael Ballack will be leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract at the end of this month,” a statement on the club’s officiual website said.
“The midfielder has spent four years at Chelsea, and all at the club would like to place on record our thanks for his service and wish him luck for the future.”
Ballack has consistently been one of Chelsea’s biggest earners throughout his four-year stay with the club, but chief executive Ron Gourlay has been keen to lower the club’s wage bill with the ultimate aim of breaking even, and Ballack’s £121,000-a-week wages are likely to be a welcome reduction.
Reports suggest that quite a few clubs throughout Europe are already in talks with ex-Germany captain Ballack over a contract, but nothing is official yet.
The German star will want a guarantee of regular first-team action. Keeping fit and in-form for Ballack will be his highest priority, so that despite his age, he may once again represent his national team when he returns from injury.
Source: ESPN