Bayern left pondering future without Ballack
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-04-18 06:36
MUNICH: German champions Bayern Munich have become reliant on goals from
German international Michael Ballack but must now think about looking for
another source of inspiration with the player poised to sign for English giants
Chelsea.
Ballack scored the crucial opening goal in Bayern's 2-0 win over Arminia
Bielefeld on Saturday to help the club edge towards another title and manager
Felix Magath must wonder how the club will cope with his loss.
The 29-year-old Ballack snubbed a four-year contract at Bayern in November
and will leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Bayern fans have jeered Ballack over the past few weeks but they were
celebrating his 13th goal of the season after his 69th minute shot crashed off
the post and rebounded off the goalkeeper back into the net.
"I am getting used to the idea that Michael Ballack will not be playing with
us next season," Magath admitted.
"He deserves to have a fair send-off and it is his right to say he wants to
play somewhere else."
It was yet another crucial goal from Ballack and Bayern will certainly miss
his predatory instincts when he leaves.
Another headache for Magath is the fact that Ballack is leaving on a free
transfer so they will not get a massive fee to spend on his replacement.
Dutch international Mark van Bommel of Barcelona has emerged as the number
one target but he will not be cheap.
"At the moment I can not see any players in Germany that come into the
equation," confessed Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness.
"But Bayern will go on after Michael Ballack. Big players have left before
and we have got over it."
While Bayern feel short-changed, Chelsea, bankrolled by
billionaire Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich, is reportedly prepared to make
Ballack the world's highest-paid player with a weekly salary of 121,000 pounds
(177,600 euros, US$210,900).
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