Ballack sends message to Terry: Chelsea don't need new signings

13 July 2009 15:11
Michael Ballack believes Chelsea can win the Premier League title next season and claimed that the Blues' squad is already strong enough to be champions without any further signings. John Terry's Stamford Bridge future is in doubt after a rumoured £40million bid from Manchester City and amid claims he is unhappy about the lack of quality signings made in the close season, but Ballack clearly holds the opposite view to his club captain. Ballack sees Chelsea's settled squad as an advantage, and seemed to be sending a clear message to Terry. So far the Blues have only acquired fringe players in Ross Turnbull and Daniel Sturridge, while Yuri Zhirkov has joined for £18million. Chelsea are confident they will sign at least one 'marquee' footballer before the end of the transfer window, yet midfielder Ballack feels the team are already good enough - as long as they stick together. Last season the club won the FA Cup and were unfortunate to be knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals by Barcelona. They may have finished seven points behind champions Manchester United and also below Liverpool, but the squad were disrupted by manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's problems and he was sacked in February. Ballack, who signed a new one-year contract in the summer, sees only cause for optimism under new manager Carlo Ancelotti and said: 'It is our target every year to win the League and we are confident about winning the title. 'I think we had a good season last year but United have played at a really high level the last few years. 'They made it really difficult for us to win the League in 2007 and 2008 but we were really close behind and last season we also finished behind Liverpool, who had a strong season. 'There are a few moments which decide every championship but we are confident it will be different next time. We have a very experienced squad. 'We haven't added a lot of new players so we don't need much time to get into our rhythm.' United are also set to be weaker having sold Cristiano Ronaldo for a world record fee of £80m to Real Madrid. Ballack certainly thinks so, although expects them to be busy in the transfer market in the next few weeks to try and fill the void. He added: 'They got a lot of money for him so I'm sure they will buy. I'm sure they will have a strong team next season.' Ballack was speaking at an event in Wentworth on Saturday that raised around £265,000 for the club's charity partner for the season, Right to Play, which was also attended by Terry. While it was made clear no one would be answering questions on Manchester City's interest in the club captain, Terry was clearly not distracted. The 28-year-old then left to have talks with owner Roman Abramovich but Chelsea sources insist the defender didn't ask for permission to talk to City. More discussions are due to be held today. All parties want the situation resolved before Chelsea leave for their pre-season tour to the US on Thursday and the club look set to offer him a £20,000-aweek pay-rise, which would see him earn a £150,000 a week. Terry is still tempted by the £200,000 a week plus bonuses City are offering.

Source: Daily_Mail