Saturday Apr 15 2006 07:20
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is still not certain Germany captain Michael Ballack will agree to move to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
The Blues are in talks with the 29-year-old midfielder about joining them when his Bayern Munich deal expires in June, but there is no pre-contract agreement in place.
Mourinho has made no secret of his admiration for Ballack, but insisted it would not be a major problem for him if the German opted against joining Chelsea.
"If he comes it is a plus. In a very good team he will be a plus but if he is not coming, he is not coming," said the Portuguese.
"We already have a very good side and squad, and very good midfield players.
"If he comes it is a big plus, if he is not coming we can survive and carry on with a good side."
He added: "I am happy with the squad and with the players. I am happy with age of the group, their motivation and desire.
"I would be happy to stay exactly with the same squad but it is a normal process at a club like Chelsea to change.
"For example last season I was very happy to keep Tiago. I would never had said to him that he had to go.
"But we arrived at a conclusion where the player would like to go and have another experience and play every week in a first team.
"So sometimes you have to arrive at decisions that are not in your mind.
"I would be happy to stay exactly with the same players but it is normal to look for one, two or three players to try to improve, and always one, two or three players are keen to make a move and have a new direction. It is very normal what will happen at Chelsea.
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