Ballack II [R]

[Dead Fingers]

Yep, part two folks. :rolleyes:

:p

[squidward123]

hi :)

[KumarsS]

Ballack's like the third or fourth best on the NT right now. Irreplaceable, at least for now. Hopefully Mourinho's unfortunate departure from Chelsea will at least result in Ballack being given more of a chance to succeed in his second year.

[Cris 09]

Ballack's like the third or fourth best on the NT right now. Irreplaceable, at least for now. Hopefully Mourinho's unfortunate departure from Chelsea will at least result in Ballack being given more of a chance to succeed in his second year.

What do you mean "more of a chance"?? Mourinho gave Ballack plenty of chances...The only thing Mourinho could have done differently was to bench Lampard and play Ballack in that position, instead he played them both, giving Ballack a different role than he had in Bayern and on the NT!!

Ballack did succeed in Chelsea...he just hasn't gotten the approval from many of the fans and the press, thats all!! I tell you what, I betcha they wish he was fit right NOW!!!

[KumarsS]

What do you mean "more of a chance"?? Mourinho gave Ballack plenty of chances...The only thing Mourinho could have done differently was to bench Lampard and play Ballack in that position, instead he played them both, giving Ballack a different role than he had in Bayern and on the NT!!

Ballack did succeed in Chelsea...he just hasn't gotten the approval from many of the fans and the press, thats all!! I tell you what, I betcha they wish he was fit right NOW!!!

I meant that it didn't seem like Mourinho was going to be particularly generous with playing time for Ballack, especially in light of his exclusion from the CL squad.

And speaking as a big fan of Ballack, he was decent but the thing about great players is that they're expected to play a little better than just decent. A player of his class should be able to hold down a starting spot in any line-up in the world. Lampard, Essien and Mikel were all more deserving of a berth in the center of the park last year, just based off of that season's performances. If playing up to his potential, Ballack could only really be considered less preferrable to three or four CMs currently in the game.

[Cris 09]

I meant that it didn't seem like Mourinho was going to be particularly generous with playing time for Ballack, especially in light of his exclusion from the CL squad.

And speaking as a big fan of Ballack, he was decent but the thing about great players is that they're expected to play a little better than just decent. A player of his class should be able to hold down a starting spot in any line-up in the world. Lampard, Essien and Mikel were all more deserving of a berth in the center of the park last year, just based off of that season's performances. If playing up to his potential, Ballack could only really be considered less preferrable to three or four CMs currently in the game.

Yeah, I see your point. I agree!! Ballack could have been a little more stellar last season, regardless of where he was on the pitch. "Above average" was how I would have described his last season. It seemed like he was settling in to a style of play that was definetly not his. I hope he comes back from injury well!!

Like I said, Chelsea could have sure used him these last past few weeks!

[Redsock]

Why do you want him to stay at Chelsea in such this circus team ?
He just wastes his time

He has to move now where he could have more time to play his game
He's 31 now and Chelsea is in crisis, they have to rebuild their team if not their all spirit, bring in another trainer and players

They were painfull to watch yesterday and it won't change before a while

he'll get many opportunies soon to move, for me he has to make this choice

[Cris 09]

Why do you want him to stay at Chelsea in such this circus team ?
He just wastes his time

He has to move now where he could have more time to play his game
He's 31 now and Chelsea is in crisis, they have to rebuild their team if not their all spirit, bring in another trainer and players

They were painfull to watch yesterday and it won't change before a while

he'll get many opportunies soon to move, for me he has to make this choice

I don't think anyone here has said that they "want" Ballack to stay at Chelsea...but realistically, he probably won't be going anywhere next season and I am sure most of us just hope he does well while he stays there!!

[Redsock]

Agree with you and hope he'll get fit soon and play well

But for me, Chelsea is not the team where he could find his best level gain
especially in their current situation

I'm not so sure he'll stay as he wants to win trophies and will consider a move as a better solution

[KumarsS]

I like Chelsea alot, they're the team I follow in the EPL, so yeah, in my ideal world Ballack would stay at Chelsea and become an integral part of the rebuilding process. I'm not sure how likely the second part is, but it doesn't look like he's going anywhere for now, especially since Abramovich's buddy took over. We're probably going to get much more inspired performances from Ballack and Shevchenko now that they feel they're going to be given more of a chance.

[footyfan1]

Ballack on the Mourinho departure:


"I very much regret that Jose Mourinho is no longer Chelsea trainer. He is a magnificent trainer, who always stood behind us in difficult times."


That was reported in today's "kicker." They also reported that the Chelsea fans and players are behind (support) Mourinho in this matter.

[Leinad]

what else do u expect as if a player would come and say now that he likes the fact that Mourinho is gone.

[footyfan1]

what else do u expect as if a player would come and say now that he likes the fact that Mourinho is gone.

Anyone else want to respond to this? I'm still sitting in stunned wonder.......

[ForeverRed]

I meant that it didn't seem like Mourinho was going to be particularly generous with playing time for Ballack, especially in light of his exclusion from the CL squad.

And speaking as a big fan of Ballack, he was decent but the thing about great players is that they're expected to play a little better than just decent. A player of his class should be able to hold down a starting spot in any line-up in the world. Lampard, Essien and Mikel were all more deserving of a berth in the center of the park last year, just based off of that season's performances. If playing up to his potential, Ballack could only really be considered less preferrable to three or four CMs currently in the game.

Thing is, any great player can struggle if played out of position. Ronaldinho for example, when played as a CF, was absolutley rubbish. At least Ballack was effective to an extent. I think he'll do even better in his second year. He adapts very well to different circumstances.

[squidward123]

Anyone else want to respond to this? I'm still sitting in stunned wonder.......

Leinad, Mourinho liked Ballack. He was his signing and he always defended him.

[Cris 09]

Anyone else want to respond to this? I'm still sitting in stunned wonder.......

LOL!!!


Toni Kroos!!!!!!!!!!!! Everybody drink!!!!

[KumarsS]

Thing is, any great player can struggle if played out of position. Ronaldinho for example, when played as a CF, was absolutley rubbish. At least Ballack was effective to an extent. I think he'll do even better in his second year. He adapts very well to different circumstances.

Ballack wasn't really played out of position. He spent most of the year as a central midfielder, occasionally pushing up into an orthodox attacking midfielder role or dropping back to play as an anchor. He's pretty good at all of that business.

[Cris 09]

Ballack wasn't really played out of position. He spent most of the year as a central midfielder, occasionally pushing up into an orthodox attacking midfielder role or dropping back to play as an anchor. He's pretty good at all of that business.

Basically what people are saying is that his freedom to "move around" was hindered by Lampard's presence as to JM instructions, I'm sure. So he was not so much out of position as much as he had a different "role" on the pitch.

[KumarsS]

Basically what people are saying his that is freedom to "move around" was hindered by Lampard's presence as to JM instructions, I'm sure. So he was not so much out of position as much as he had a different "role" on the pitch.

Alright, that I can agree with.

[ForeverRed]

Basically what people are saying is that his freedom to "move around" was hindered by Lampard's presence as to JM instructions, I'm sure. So he was not so much out of position as much as he had a different "role" on the pitch.

right, thats what i meant