Chelsea Football Club News

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

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Ballack slams injury reports

20 Dec 2007 - 09:37:46

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Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has spoken of his frustration at being sidelined for several months with a long-term ankle problem.

The 31-year-old Germany ace made his first appearance of the season in the 2-0 Carling Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool, having needed two operations on his troublesome ankle.

Ballack told The Sun: "At the beginning of my injury break I constantly had to deny rumours which were created by misleading comments from the doctors.

"Doctors can also make mistakes, but then you must not try and turn the facts, try to forget about your own mistakes and put the player into a bad light.

"I kept hearing that the ankle surgery had not been necessary at all. I had to justify myself, which was really hard for me.

"And on a club level I heard a few remarks made behind my back which were really disappointing for me.

"That was the worst thing in the first week after the surgery that it was reported 'Ballack underwent surgery without reason and without permission'. For two weeks I had to read this rubbish everywhere.

"Those claims are untrue and the development of the injury proves that. The necessity of the surgery has been confirmed."