Ballack should not be here
-
DIDIER DROGBA has told Michael Ballack he should have signed for title rivals Manchester United or Arsenal.
The outspoken Chelsea striker reckons Germany captain Ballack got it wrong when he joined the Blues on a free from Bayern Munich.
Drogba insisted: “It’s hard for Ballack at Chelsea because this club is special.
“I’m convinced he would have had a much easier time at Manchester United or Arsenal because they benefit from their well-balanced team — he would have been a better fit there.
“At Chelsea, we depend on our individuals. So, maybe Chelsea is not the right club for Ballack.”
Ballack, 31, was amazingly left out of the Champions League squad list by the Blues and Drogba admits he was stunned by the omission.
He reckons club politics played a big part in denying the three-time German Player of the Year a Champions League squad number.
Ballack is currently recovering from ankle surgery.
But Drogba, 29, admitted: “I was very surprised he was not nominated because he was one of our team leaders. Of course he still is a leader now.
“His experience and his strength in the air make him indispensable. But I don’t know what happened between him and the front office.”
Drogba also lashed out at critics who insist the reason for snubbing Ballack was that he is too similar a player to England midfielder Frank Lampard.
Drogba insisted: “I believe that Ballack and Lampard can harmonise well. They have proved it a couple of times in the Champions League already.
“Against Barcelona and Porto, both played fantastically. They are experienced and intelligent enough to play together.”
Ivory Coast international Drogba is being chased by a string of Italian, French and Spanish clubs after insisting he wants to leave Stamford Bridge following the departure of Jose Mourinho as manager.
But the powerful hitman revealed he would be ready to join German giants Bayern Munich because of the clubÂ’s European tradition.
He said: “A club like Bayern Munich is historic.
“The representatives are former Bayern stars and that’s the right way to play the first fiddle on an international level.
“I have to admit, that I envy players like Franck Ribery or Luca Toni because they are under contract in Munich.
“As a player, it’s your duty to continue the tradition of such a club — but the most important thing is to have fun.
“In Germany they play very offensively, there are a lot of goals, the stadiums are modern and full.
“That counts for me. When I entered the Allianz Arena in Munich during the World Cup, I was flattened by the atmosphere.”
Drogba, who netted 33 goals last term, was furious after the club sacked pal Mourinho but has since said he will continue to give his all for the team.
Now former World Player of the Year George Weah has backed Drog to put his unrest behind him and prove he is the No 1 striker on the planet.
Weah said: “I’m excited seeing the way Didier is exploding in the top league in England. It has afforded him an opportunity to show that he’s world class.
“I think he’s a very focused player despite the rumours about his planned exit from the Premier League. He has tried to be calm and deliver the goods.
“He could become the World Player of the Year one day.
“I like seeing African players taking after me.
“I respect Didier a lot for showing such skill every week and staying off controversy.
“I think he loves Chelsea and can’t dump the team in the way they are speculating.
“He might have been facing some pressure but that’s what comes with stardom.
“He will let everybody know when he wants to leave Chelsea and not just disappear through the back door. He is a classy striker with a great range of skills that is very rare.
“Any club that has him must count themselves lucky because he is committed and very hard working.”
French champions Lyon are one of the teams who have targeted Drogba.
Chairman Jean-Michel Aulas last night admitted they want to capture the Blues hotshot.
Asked if Lyon would try to sign the superstar, Aulas said: “Everything is possible in football. Didier Drogba is an exceptional footballer who loves France.”
Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, who joined from Lyon last summer for £14million, is a close pal of Drogba’s.
But Aulas admits MaloudaÂ’s exit meant Lyon lost a trump card in their bid to lure Drogba back for a second stint in France. Drogba caused a huge furore at Chelsea after launching a furious attack on the club.
The forward said his first choice is a move to AC Milan or Inter but he has also left open the possibility of a return to France — where he excelled for Marseille before joining Chelsea in a £24m move.
His agent Etienne Mendy said: “It’s no secret that Didier likes Milan, he often visits the city during his time off.
“But we cannot rule out the other big Italian side — Juventus.
“His relationship with Chelsea isn’t as good as it was under Mourinho but Drogba is a professional and knows he plays for a club, not a manager.” -
Good thing he isn't at United, otherwise they wouldn't have bought Anderson already...
One 31 yrs old, salary $130,000 a week. The other...
A 19 yrs old on $20+ thousand per week only...
-
He went to Chelsea for the money, plus he didn't make much difference at Stamford Bridge so I'm glad Man Utd didn't get him.