Brooking talks Frankly about ‘flop’ Ballack

TREVOR BROOKING believes Michael Ballack’s presence at Chelsea has dulled Frank Lampard’s predatory instincts and claims the Germany midfielder has been a flop at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea enter Saturday’s FA Cup final against arch-rivals Manchester United without Ballack who misses the Wembley showpiece as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery.

The 30-year-old has been a major disappointment since joining on a free transfer from Bayern Munich last summer.

Lampard, one of Chelsea’s most consistent and dangerous players, has often been shunted sideways from his preferred attacking central midfield role to accommodate Ballack.

Brooking insists the move has restricted the England star’s natural game. “As Ballack is not available for the final it allows Frank to be more of a danger and I expect he’ll play a more prominent role. I imagine he will play on the forward tip of the diamond, if they line up like that, and that he’ll be freer to push forward where he can be such a threat,’’ said Brooking.

“There’s no question that Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko haven’t been as strong as Chelsea would have liked. They haven’t made the impact expected. A lot of overseas players find the pace of the game tough in England, even with all the skills they have.”

Brooking believes Chelsea have relied too heavily on Didier Drogba with striker Shevchenko, who misses the final because of a hernia, proving another let-down.

“Shevchenko doesn’t quite seem to have that yard of pace to get away from opposition defenders,” he said.