Source: Telegraph
Chelsea offer Michael Ballack one year contract extension
Determined to show a united front while Ballack and team mate Dider Drogba are investigated for their verbal assaults on referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, the Times claims that Chelsea have secured the Germany captain's service for 12 more months. [LNB]Reports suggest that an extension clause within his current contract - which expires this summer - has been activated, with an official announcement pending. [LNB] Related ArticlesHiddink stands by DrogbaArsenal v Chelsea: Top five battlesPremier League team newsWenger sticks to his gunsArshavin illness a worryDrogba to escape Chelsea censureBallack, 32, had been expecting an additional 24 months to be offered but with Chelsea facing further managerial uncertainties it is understood that no player will be handed more than one more season until Guus Hiddink's successor has been appointed. [LNB]The deal makes Ballack Chelsea's third highest paid player just behind England internationals Frank Lampard and John Terry. [LNB]Ballack's behaviour in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona, like Drogba's, does not appear to have had any negative impact on his future with the club. [LNB]On Friday the club announced that Ivorian Coast striker, Drogba's, long-term future with the club would not be affected despite reports in the media suggesting otherwise. [LNB]"I don't think it's an influence," Hiddink said at his weekly press conference. "It's up to me and the board, but I don't think he will [face further disciplinary charges]. I think apologising openly was a big step forward. We have to go on."[LNB]Hiddink has won plaudits for his work at Stamford Bridge since replacing Luiz Felipe Scolari and he wants to leave his mark on the trophy cabinet before he departs in the summer. [LNB]"I was already determined to win the FA Cup but hopefully we'll achieve our first aim set in February and that's to qualify for the Champions League again," he added. [LNB]"When things are going well you can't just be satisfied with that as a target at a big club so we extended our targets. [LNB]"In February people would have raised their eyebrows if we said we'd get to a final. [LNB]"But, being there, we're very determined to win. I want to leave having won something." [LNB]
