Chelsea 'are winning race' for Ballack

Thursday, 02, Mar 2006 10:00

Germany captain Michael Ballack is leaning towards a move to Chelsea in the summer, according to his agent.

The powerful midfielder is out of contract at Bayern Munich at the end of the season and looks likely to leave Germany for one of Europe's biggest clubs.

Press reports across the continent have linked him with moves to Real Madrid, Manchester United, Inter Milan and most recently Chelsea.

Ballack's agent, Michael Becker, admitted that Madrid had been his client's preferred destination but that the resignation of Florentino Perez and constant managerial upheaval had put him off.

Becker was unremitting in his scorn for Inter Milan's efforts to sign the player. He emphasised that Ballack would only sign for a team that was more likely to win the Champions League than Bayern.

He claimed that being in third position in Serie A was not the kind of qualification sought by Ballack.

Becker told the BBC: "Nothing has been signed, but there will be ongoing contact with Chelsea. There is strong interest from both sides. The trend is in this direction.

"Michael had initially been very keen on Real Madrid. But the leadership changes there in the last few months mean we don't know what's happening."

Meanwhile, reports suggesting Ballack's arrival at Stamford Bridge could spell the end for Frank Lampard have been dismissed by the Premiership champions.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho is said to be keen to partner the powerful German with Lampard and Michael Essien to form a formidable central trio.