Unhappiness over Michael Ballack's contribution to the Chelski
cause this season has spread to the dressing-room with both Didier
Drogba and Claude Makelele reportedly demanding that the German was
demoted from the rank of Untouchable.
The Times claims that 'after last weekend's disappointing home draw
with Fulham the striker Didier Drogba and midfielder Claude
Makelele had to be prevented from confronting their manager Jose
Mourinho over Ballack's lack of effectiveness.'
Leading players are said to have grown exasperated with the
German's poor work-rate, his disinclination to aid the team's leaky
defence and failure 'to mesh well with his new colleagues in
attack.'
Although Ballack's form has been raised in team meetings, Mourinho
has stubbornly refused to criticise his summer signing, whom he
named as one of nine untouchables in December.
A section of the Stamford Bridge support heckled Ballack during the
win over Newcastle in December, prompting an irate Mourinho to
retort: "The fans don't make the team, I make the team.
"I don't select players because of the fans or comments in the
press. I select players from my analysis of the team. I have
analysis through scientific technology and, based on my vision and
knowledge of the game, Ballack is still untouchable."
However, the Sunday Times cites Prozone figures which indicate that
Ballack's contribution 'has been on par with the "benchmark" for a
domestic central midfielder. He is nowhere near the elite Champions
League level, which has been attained in England only by his
teammate Frank Lampard, Manchester United's Paul Scholes and
Gilberto Silva of Arsenal.'
