Michael Ballack's agent has revealed the midfielder's surprise at being released by Chelsea.
German midfielder released after no recent contact with Chelsea
Michael Ballack's agent has revealed the midfielder's surprise at being released by Chelsea.
The English champions confirmed on Wednesday that Ballack, Joe Cole and Juliano Belletti would be leaving the club when their contracts expire at the end of the month.
It was thought Chelsea had made the decision on Ballack having failed to agree terms on a new deal.
But his agent, Michael Becker, claimed there had been no recent contact with the club so the news came as a shock to the 33-year-old.
Becker added that Ballack would have been willing to take a pay cut to stay with Chelsea and that he would have accepted a one-year deal with an option for a second year based on appearances.
"He was completely surprised," Becker told German broadcaster
RTL.
"He has not spoken to Chelsea for three months."
However, Germany coach Joachim Low revealed there are already several offers for Ballack, who is currently on holiday in Miami after being ruled out of the World Cup through injury.
Concrete offers
Ballack met up with the Germany squad as they made their World Cup preparations in Italy and Low believes the former Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich midfielder is capable of delivering the goods at another big European club.
"I am certain that Ballack will play two or three more years at the top level so he will certainly not be thinking of ending his career," he said.
"He has lots of opportunities, and he told me this in Sicily. He even has some concrete offers from different clubs in different leagues.
"I think when you see what condition he was in recent months for Chelsea then it is clear he will play at the highest level for two to three more years."
Ballack played his part as Chelsea won the league and FA Cup double this year for the first time in the club's history.
But German legend Franz Beckenbauer fells he fell victim to the fact Chelsea failed to win the Champions League for a seventh season since Roman Abramovich's takeover.
Shame
"It's a shame for him because he's not the youngest any more," said Beckenbauer.
"Maybe another year or two would have done him good at Chelsea, but I can understand their disappointment.
"Abramovich has invested millions over the years and, while of course winning the league and the cup is a success, he has the aim of winning the Champions League and he has not done that so he is revolutionising his team.
"They have aged a bit and I can understand that they want a younger team. It's just a shame that that affects Ballack."
