Bernd Schuster has admitted he was shocked to be linked
with a move for Michael Ballack after reports suggested that
Chelsea have demanded 40m for the midfielder.
The Spanish giants' coach claims that he talked about signing an
offensive midfield player after the friendly against Stoke City at
the weekend, but has not stated that he does not want his
compatriot.
Media in England and Spain went into overdrive after it was
reported that Schuster had openly requested that Madrid bid for the
former Bayern Muncih star.
"I was very surprised myself," the trainer said. "I said one thing
and it came out in the press as something completely
different.
"At no time did I say that we should make an offer for Ballack, but
I did say that we need to be looking at players in Europe that play
like him.
"There is no interest in Ballack on our part."
The misquoted news saw speculation rise and talk of the Blues
having to brace themselves for a mega-bid from Madrid soon
materialised.
Chelsea have even been quoted as wanting 40m for the 31-year-old
international, an amount, claim Marca, that los Merengues would
never pay.
