Former Germany captain Michael Ballack claims there was a plot against him which led to him losing the national team armband.

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack has been deprived of a possible start in tonight’s Champions League tie with Barcelona due to an injury picked up in training.

Chelsea’s senior players need to stand up and be counted if the club are to recover from their disappointing start to the season, according to former Stamford Bridge star Michael Ballack.

Petr Cech has delivered a damning assessment of Chelsea’s current failings, pinning the blame firmly on the players and absolving manager Andre Villas-Boas of responsibility.

IF CHELSEA weren’t a club in crisis before last night, they are now.

Bayer Leverkusen 2 Chelsea 1

LIONEL MESSI moved into joint-second place on Barcelona’s all-time goalscoring list as his brace helped the defending champions to a comprehensive Champions League Group H win in Minsk last night.

DAVID LUIZ, the forgotten man of Chelsea’s January transfer spree, ensured it wasn’t all about Fernando Torres as Chelsea scraped past Bayer Leverkusen in their opening fixture of the Champions League; but the Spaniard did at least set up both goals to provide a glimmer of hope that his own luck is about to change.

Chelsea 2 Bayer Leverkusen 0

Andre Villas-Boas rested Chelsea captain John Terry for tonight’s Champions League opener against Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge.

Andre Villas-Boas has admitted he will have one eye on Chelsea’s Barclays Premier League showdown at Manchester United when he picks his team for tonight’s Champions League opener against Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt was happy with Michael Ballack’s performance against Augsburg in the Bundesliga last night, but claims it does not guarantee him a place in his starting line-up against Chelsea on Tuesday.

Wolfsburg are unlikely to make Michael Ballack their 12th signing of the summer.

The German Football Federation today announced former captain Michael Ballack would no longer be considered for international duty.

LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI has revealed he tried to offload Didier Drogba while Chelsea manager and confirmed the pair had “conflicts” during his short reign at Stamford Bridge.

Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed he tried to offload Didier Drogba while Chelsea manager and confirmed the pair had “conflicts” during his short reign at Stamford Bridge.

DIDIER DROGBA admits Chelsea have missed the experience of the players who left Stamford Bridge last summer during their recent miserable run of form.

SO you have injuries which mean your first choice centre backs are both injured?

Germany captain Michael Ballack will not play again in 2010 after the shin injury he picked up on September 11 emerged to be worse than first thought.

Germany coach Joachim Low has raised doubts as to whether Michael Ballack will ever return to the national team following his latest injury setback.

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack faces a six-week injury lay-off after picking up a micro-fracture in his left shin yesterday.

BAYER LEVERKUSEN midfielder Michael Ballack is to remain captain of Germany, coach Joachim Low has confirmed.

Michael Ballack has warned Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm he fully intends to captain Germany in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

After scoring four goals in a game for the third time at this World Cup, Germany are “within touching distance of the title”, according to the Welt newspaper.

JOE COLE wants to sort out his club future sooner rather than later after claiming an unhappy final season at Chelsea was down to “political rather than footballing reasons”.

Bayer Leverkusen will do “all they can” to bring Michael Ballack back to the club eight years after his first spell in North-Rhein Westphalia ended following the most successful season in the club’s history.

Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed their interest in signing Michael Ballack after he was released by Chelsea earlier this week.

Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen today suggested they would be unable to offer Michael Ballack a return to the Bundesliga on financial grounds.

Michael Ballack has claimed the decision to release him was made by Roman Abramovich.

THE Premier League’s biggest names are set to battle it out for Joe Cole’s signature this summer after it was confirmed yesterday that the England midfielder will leave Chelsea.

Defender Juliano Belletti will join Joe Cole and Michael Ballack in leaving Chelsea this summer, the club have confirmed.

Chelsea have today confirmed midfield duo Joe Cole and Michael Ballack will leave the club this summer.

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has advised Michael Ballack to shelve plans to make a comeback to the Germany national team after the World Cup.

Philipp Lahm has been confirmed as Germany’s new captain, although he will not be leading the team out for their friendly international against Hungary tomorrow.

Germany captain Michael Ballack admits his World Cup dream is over, despite being approached by several doctors who claim they could cure him within a fortnight.

PORTSMOUTH midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has apologised to Michael Ballack for the challenge which ruled the Germany captain out of the World Cup.

Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has apologised to Michael Ballack for the challenge which ruled the Germany captain out of the World Cup.

Germany boss Joachim Low today admitted he was “shocked” to learn captain Michael Ballack would miss the World Cup but urged his players to form a united front in South Africa in his absence.

Germany captain Michael Ballack has been ruled out of the World Cup due to an ankle injury, the German Football Federation have confirmed.

CARLO ANCELOTTI has tipped John Terry to have a big impact on this summer’s World Cup.

Germany coach Joachim Low is anxiously awaiting news over the fitness of his captain Michael Ballack after he picked up an ankle injury in Chelsea's FA Cup final win.

Chelsea 0 Portsmouth 0

Double-chasing Chelsea have named an unchanged team for the FA Cup final against Portsmouth at Wembley.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has a slight doubt over right-back Branislav Ivanovic ahead of the FA Cup final against Portsmouth at Wembley on Saturday.