Ballack interested in move to Chelsea

CHELSEA’S interest in Michael Ballack is reciprocated by the Bayern Munich playmaker, Ballack’s agent said yesterday.

“Nothing has been signed, but there will be ongoing contact with Chelsea,” Michael Becker admitted.

“There is strong interest from both sides. The trend is in this direction.”

Earlier this week Ballack denied he had signed a four-year deal with the English champions. Becker said his 29-year-old client’s interest in moving to Real Madrid was cooling.

“Michael had initially been very keen on Real Madrid. But the leadership changes there in the last few months mean we don’t know what’s happening,” Becker said.

“There has been a change in the whole set-up at Real and we don’t know where we stand - it’s very confusing.

Reports linked Ballack with a move to Inter Milan but Becker ruled this out.

“Michael will continue his career with a side that will win the Champions League.

“He definitely will not go to Inter Milan. He would only move to a club where he has a better chance of winning the Champions League than at Bayern.

“Inter are currently third in Serie A, whereas Bayern are top in the German league.”

Frank Lampard is almost certain to be ruled out of Chelsea’s trip to Barclays Premiership strugglers West Brom on Saturday.

Lampard, who had his hamstring injury further assessed yesterday, is unlikely to be risked by coach Jose Mourinho in the hope he will recover in time for the second leg of the Champions League tie with Barcelona on Tuesday.

Lampard’s injury, sustained in the first leg against the Spaniards, forced him to withdraw from the England squad ahead of the friendly against Uruguay and if he fails to recover in time for the trip to the Nou Camp, Mourinho will be faced with a crisis in midfield.

Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien is already ruled out of the tie because of suspension and Lampard’s absence would severely hamper Chelsea’s hopes of overturning their 2-1 deficit.

Left-back Asier del Horno is also out of the tie through suspension following his dismissal in the first leg at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho would be left with a potential midfield trio of Claude Makelele, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Maniche if the England midfielder cannot recover.

But the Chelsea coach has ruled out playing talented Lassana Diarra against Frank Rijkaard’s side, believing the French youngster, who is being groomed as an eventual replacement for Makelele, is not yet ready for such a high-profile game.