Ballack describes Chelsea agreement claim as nonsense

Apr 20, 2006, 12:14 GMT

Munich, Germany - Germany captain Michael Ballack on Thursday dismissed a news report saying he has agreed to terms of a contract with Premier League leaders Chelsea.

'That's nonsense. There is nothing to it,' said Ballack after a training session at his current club Bayern Munich.

The statement came in the wake of a report Wednesday from German ZDF television which said playmaker Ballack has agreed to the terms of a four-year deal with Chelsea, with only the ink on the paper missing.

Earlier Thursday, Ballack's agent, Michael Becker, also denied an agreement but said he expected the deal to be done before the World Cup in Germany which starts on June 9.

'Negotiations are proceeding well and we're extremely optimistic a deal will be done before the start of the World Cup. But it is important to point out that nothing has not been signed yet,' Becker told the BBC.

English news reports Wednesday also suggested that there were still obstacles, such as an alleged demand by Ballack to be guaranteed a place in the starting lineup of the star-studded squad which coach Jose Mourinho will not give him.

Ballack confirmed a week ago that he was negotiating with Chelsea and saw his sporting future in England after the expiration of his four-year contract in Munich on June 30.

Becker said Ballack should not be vilified by the Bayern fans if he decides to join Chelsea.

'Bayern have won two league and cup doubles while Michael has been at the club and have the opportunity to claim a third this season,' Becker said.

'Michael has been Germany's player of the year three times and scored 13 goals this season, making him the fifth highest scorer in the Bundesliga. I think he deserves to leave the club on good terms.'