CHELSKI PLAYERS TURN ON BALLACK
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Unhappiness over Michael Ballack's contribution to the Chelski cause this season has spread to the dressing-room with both Didier Drogba and Claude Makelele reportedly demanding that the German was demoted from the rank of Untouchable.
The Times claims that 'after last weekend's disappointing home draw with Fulham the striker Didier Drogba and midfielder Claude Makelele had to be prevented from confronting their manager Jose Mourinho over Ballack's lack of effectiveness.'
Leading players are said to have grown exasperated with the German's poor work-rate, his disinclination to aid the team's leaky defence and failure 'to mesh well with his new colleagues in attack.'
Although Ballack's form has been raised in team meetings, Mourinho has stubbornly refused to criticise his summer signing, whom he named as one of nine untouchables in December.
A section of the Stamford Bridge support heckled Ballack during the win over Newcastle in December, prompting an irate Mourinho to retort: "The fans don't make the team, I make the team.
"I don't select players because of the fans or comments in the press. I select players from my analysis of the team. I have analysis through scientific technology and, based on my vision and knowledge of the game, Ballack is still untouchable."
However, the Sunday Times cites Prozone figures which indicate that Ballack's contribution 'has been on par with the "benchmark" for a domestic central midfielder. He is nowhere near the elite Champions League level, which has been attained in England only by his teammate Frank Lampard, Manchester United's Paul Scholes and Gilberto Silva of Arsenal.' -
internal conflict liao
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i would be unhappy too. but i will give him time to settle. epl is not that easy to adapt too.
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This is only temporary... When the team is not playing well, some joker will find someone to blame only but as soon as they start to win again all these will go away and forgotten...
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so whos next to be blame?
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Roman... for not giving enough money...
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MOURINHO REJECTS PLAYER UNREST TALK
Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has rejected claims there is dressing room unrest among his multi-million pound superstars.
The Blues coach, preparing for Wednesday night's Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Wycombe, strongly refutes claims in both the English and German media that he has faced player unrest over Michael Ballack's contribution to their season.
But Mourinho insisted: "Reports about problems in the dressing room are not correct.
"Do we want more from him [Ballack] in terms of performance? Not from him, from everybody.
"And if the objective is to put some kind of pressure on me then no chance because I pick the team, nobody else does it. Press opinions, other player opinions are not for me.
"Tomorrow he plays and I hope it is the first step for him to play his first English cup final." -
JOSE MOURINHO has not got a clue how to get the best out of Michael Ballack or Andriy Shevchenko.
As Chelsea chief Mourinho prepared for tonightÂ’s Carling Cup clash with Wycombe, he copped that astonishing blast from Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness. German legend Hoeness, a friend of Ballack, also blasted Mourinho for spreading tactical confusion among his players.
As a result, Ballack and Shevchenko have struggled under the Portuguese coach. Ballack was a huge success with Bayern — as Sheva was with AC Milan. And Hoeness claimed Mourinho must take the blame for their present lack of form as he has not adapted his team to the players’ strengths.
Hoeness said: “I think Chelsea have bought these star players without working out where and how they will fit into the side. “They need to decide where their best position is. “It’s difficult for Michael to be seen at his best, because he is such a similar player to Frank Lampard. “Both like to attack and get forward but one of them also has to get back and defend.
“I think there’s a lot of confusion as to what people’s roles are. “Look at Shevchenko. Chelsea thought he would be their main striker — but Didier Drogba has done far better and now they are trying to play both.
“They need to work out a system and settle on it.” -
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
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drop him and start using wingers. sheva and drogba are fantastic headers of the ball