Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has criticised Michael
Ballack's decision to join Chelsea, insisting the player would have
been better off joining Manchester United instead.
The Germany international joined the London club from Bayern last
summer but has had an unsettled start to his Premier League career,
making just 26 league appearances as Chelsea surrendered the title
to United last term.
And this week the 30-year-old midfielder was not included in
Chelsea's squad for the Champions League group stage due to fitness
issues, prompting Beckenbauer to question the wisdom of his
move.
"I think it was a mistake to move to that club (Chelsea)," he told
German newspaper Bild.
"There was a space available for his position with Manchester
United and he would have fitted into their system perfectly. The
same with Real Madrid. But at Chelsea his role was already filled
by Frank Lampard."
Speculation over Ballack's future has been further intensified this
week by Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster, who claimed it was only
the matter of an agent's fee that stopped the midfielder going to
Spain this summer.
Both Real and Manchester United were touted as possible
destinations for Ballack before he moved to Chelsea, but
Beckenbauer thinks the player is now running out of options.
"Where can he move to now?" he pondered.
"His first transfer opportunity is during the winter, and I hardly
suppose Bernd Schuster's Madrid are interested after bringing in
Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder."
And Beckenbauer was also quick to rule out a return to the
Bundesliga leaders after the club shelled out almost £50million
this summer on a squad revamp after missing out on the Champions
League.
"No, that won't happen," he said.
"Firstly it isn't what he wants and in all honesty we can no longer
afford to pay his wages."
Beckenbauer does however offer sympathy to Ballack, who is in
danger of becoming embroiled in a club-versus-country row over his
ankle problems.
"Looking from afar, you get the feeling that Ballack is caught in
the middle of German doctors and English club doctors," he
added.
"It would be regrettable if the player was made to suffer. I just
hope he can get back as soon as possible."
