Ballack, Cole released by Chelsea (2nd Roundup)

By Henning Hoff Jun 9, 2010, 16:20 GMT

London - German international Michael Ballack and England midfielder Joe Cole will be leaving Chelsea after the English club decided against renewing its contracts with the duo.

'We were unable to agree on further cooperation,' Ballack's agent Michael Becker told the German Press agency dpa on Wednesday.

Ballack, who will miss the World Cup because of ankle ligament damage, will leave the Premiership Club as a free agent.

The 33-year-old midfielder joined Chelsea from Bayern Munich on a free transfer in 2006.

Ballack was not the only major star to be sorted out at Chelsea as Cole could not agree on a new contract after seven seasons with the London club.

'We would like to thank him for his dedicated years of service and wish him well in his future career,' read a statement on Chelsea's website about the Cole departure.

Cole, who is in South Africa with the English national team, arrived at Chelsea in 2003 from West Ham United.

The London native has been linked to a number of Premiership sides, including Tottenham, who are coached by Cole's former boss at West Ham Harry Redknapp.

'He is a great player, his contract is up and he is on a free transfer. When he returns I would love to talk to him about coming to Spurs,' Redknapp told British media on Tuesday.

Chelsea announced the departure of a third player on Wednesday as well with Brazilian Juliano Belletti leaving the Blues.

The 33-year-old defender, who won the World Cup in 2002, arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2007 from Barcelona. Balletti only played a minor role with Chelsea this season.

Chelsea and Ballack's agent had been holding talks for months. The main sticking point in the negotiations had been the length of the deal.

Chelsea were hoping to lock on the midfielder on a one-year contract while Ballack wanted more certainty heading towards the 2012 European Championship.

The breakup comes quite surprising as the Goerlitz native would have gladly stayed in London, where he was well-respected.

'When it comes to experience there is no better man for the job. 'Bally' is an extremely strong character and has been a massive influence. He has also contributed well on the goals front,' said Chelsea assistant coach Ray Wilkins on the club's website.

Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti also had hoped the club could retain his No. 13, who was one of the most popular Blues.

The news also reached German national team camp in Pretoria where team boss Joachim Loew and German football legend Franz Beckenbauer were holding a press conference

'He told me that he would have liked to have stayed in London. He played really well last season. And I am sure Michael can absolutely play at the highest level for a couple more years,' said Loew.

'If you saw how he played at the end of this season you can tell he will continue to play.'

'It's too bad,' added Beckenbauer.

'He's not the youngest any more. The odd additional year at Chelsea could have helped him. But I understand Chelsea. The goal was to win the Champions League. They are now rebuilding the team, which has gotten older. But that it affect Ballack is too bad.'

In his four years at Stamford Bridge, Ballack captured one English Premiership title (2010) and three English FA Cups (2007, 2009, 2010).

He was unable to hoist the Champions League trophy, however, losing in the 2008 final in penalties to arch rivals Manchester United in Moscow.

Ballack, the first German player to win the double in England, made 168 appearances (27 as substitute) and scored 25 goals for Chelsea.

Chelsea's official Web site said Ballack would continue to be treated at their Cobham training ground while he recovers from his ankle injury.

A number of clubs have been linked to Ballack, including Real Madrid and sides in the German Bundesliga.

The Cologne daily Stadt Anzeiger reported Wednesday that Bayer Leverkusen would be interested in bringing Ballack back.

'There was always a special relationship between Bayer and Michael Ballack. We were an important stop in his career,' Leverkusen manager Wolfgang Holzhaeuser told the paper.

'Another question is if we can finance something like taht. We have not really had any concrete considerations. But I clearly have to say: I have my doubts.'

Ballack played with Leverkusen from 1999 to 2002 before heading to Bayern Munich.