Source: Daily_Mail
Roman ruined my Chelsea career! Michael Ballack blames Abramovic for Stamford Bridge exit
Released: Michael Ballack is to leave Chelsea this summer after his contract expires[LNB]Michael Ballack has revealed his belief that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovic took the decision to end his Stamford Bridge career.[LNB]The club confirmed on Wednesday that Ballack, Joe Cole and Juliano Belletti would be leaving the club this summer when their contracts expire. [LNB]Their fates may have been sealed in March after Chelsea's Champions League last-16 defeat to Inter Milan, managed by ex-Blues boss Jose Mourinho, with Abramovic deciding there and then to have a squadclear-out after feeling humiliated by the loss, according to The Times.[LNB]Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti wanted to keep Ballack at the club and recommended he be awarded a new deal, but was overruled by Abramovic, the newspaper also claims. Contract negotiations for all three players were suspended after the Inter defeat and never reopened.[LNB]Ballack said: 'It's unfortunate we couldn't come together, but I have to put it behind me.[LNB]'I'veknown for a while that the negotiations had stopped and it's time tomove on. I have to find a new club and carry on with my career. [LNB]'Chelseawas always my first choice as I had four great years at the club andenjoyed every minute, but it was not to be. It's still my first choice,even now, but it was not up to me. The decision was down to Roman.'[LNB] Agony: Ballack will miss the World Cup through injury suffered in the FA Cup final[LNB]He added: 'I loved the club. They always made me feel welcome and there was a special atmosphere in the team. We won three FA Cups and the Premier League in four years, but winning the Double this season was unbelievable as it was a real piece of history.[LNB]'Chelsea do not have the history of Liverpool or Manchester United but are growing as a club. I wish them well for the future.' [LNB]As well as a Chelsea exit against his wishes Ballack has suffered the double-heartbreak of missing the World Cup after suffering an ankle injury in the FA Cup final after a hefty challenge from Portsmouth's Kevin Prince Boateng.[LNB] Humiliation: Abramovic suspended all contract negotiations afterChelsea's Champions League defeat to Inter Milan and former Blues bossJose Mourinho[LNB]But Ballack has quashed talk of an international retirement and set his sights instead on Euro 2012. A move to a top Bindesliga club appears his most likely destination, with Wolfsburg, Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen all in the hunt. Former boss Mourinho is also considering bringing the midfielder to Real Madrid, as revealed by Sportsmail. [LNB]'To end my career like this is not an option,' Ballack said. 'I wantto play for at least two more years at the highest level so I can playfor Germany at the European Championship. [LNB]'I've played inthree Euros and two World Cups so know how special they are and can'tend like this. I'm even more determined to carry on since I've beeninjured and the motivation is growing inside me every single day. [LNB]'I'mnot yet ready to 'retire' by going to the United States or Dubai andwant to stay in Europe. I'm a proud German who always enjoyed livingthere, so have some options back home.'[LNB] Ballack's suitors plot bids as McClaren enters race for ditched Chelsea manJoe Cole in limbo as Chelsea confirm midfielder's Stamford Bridge exitCole and Ballack released by Chelsea as free transfer frenzy kicks offCHELSEA FC
