'Der Kaiser' enters Ballack row

Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has criticised Michael Ballack's attitude.

Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has criticised Michael Ballack for his recent lackadaisical attitude.

The Germany midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and is widely expected to join Chelsea.

He has not been at his best in Bayern's last few games, and Beckenbauer believes that he is merely going through the motions until he can complete a transfer to the Premiership champions.

"Ballack is just saving his strength for Chelsea," Beckenbauer told ZDF TV after Bayern had clinched the German Cup with a 1-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

"Sometimes I think to myself, is he playing with us or not?

"The way he runs around the field has little to do with football.

"He isn't trying anymore and I was waiting for him to be substituted," added Beckenbauer, who is known in Germany as "Der Kaiser".

Ballack has denied the suggestion that he is not giving 100 percent to Bayern's cause, claiming that the club's achievements mean as much to him now as they ever have done.

"It doesn't matter what he (Beckenbauer) thinks," said the 29-year-old. "I'm delighted about the (cup) title, which is the third in four years.

"All that matters is we have won, but if Der Kaiser says that," he added with a smile.

Beckenbauer was not prepared to listen to Ballack's argument, replying simply: "He knows I am right."