Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Ballack reveals cup shock

25 Feb 2008 - 14:45:30

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Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack is mystified as to why he was left out of the starting line-up for Sunday's Carling Cup Final defeat to Tottenham at Wembley.

The 31-year-old Germany international had been a regular in Avram Grant's first-team plans since returning from injury in mid-December, but had to be content with a late appearance from the substitute's bench in the 2-1 extra-time defeat.

Ballack told the London Evening Standard: "I am not happy that I did not play but I have to accept it like everybody else who did not start.

"It was not explained, it was on the team-sheet shortly before the game and that was it.

"But we have to keep going in the other competitions. We still have a strong team and good chances to win the Champions League.

"Okay, in the Premier League we are nine points behind Arsenal, but we still have hope and we have to remember that and concentrate. We have to start again.

"We didn't start very well yesterday and couldn't control the game. Tottenham looked sharper.

"We did too little to win a final. Now we have to think about why we didn't win and do better in the future."