Problems brewing at Chelsea

[janpelt]

Ballack has been left out of Chelsea's Champions league squad. Chelsea registered only 23 players for the next stage even if they had the right to register 25. Ballack is expected back in action in time to play at least 3 games in the group stage. Ballack is said to be fuming over this

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[Tee]

Can he leave them on loan? Maybe that is why they left him out?

[johnp]

, but

[Craig_H]

They dont want him CL cup tied, as it'd reduce their chances of offloading him in January.

[Parm]

They dont want him CL cup tied, as it'd reduce their chances of offloading him in January.

that's what I thought as well, but then again, he's 31, on massive wages, doubt they'd get a big fee for him.
shame, always thought he was a good player.

[Imy]

Either that or his injuries are far worse then first thought so leaving him out at this stage makes sense, why take up a player birth when you know the player is not going to play.

Am i right in thinking you can re-register players for the 2nd half of the tournament?

[Craig_H]

that's what I thought as well, but then again, he's 31, on massive wages, doubt they'd get a big fee for him.
shame, always thought he was a good player.

They wont give him away either.

He'd fetch a few million. Bayern would probably take him back for about £5m.

[Craig_H]

Either that or his injuries are far worse then first thought so leaving him out at this stage makes sense, why take up a player birth when you know the player is not going to play.

Am i right in thinking you can re-register players for the 2nd half of the tournament?

You can make 3 replacements/additions after the group phase.

[Mattshark]

that's what I thought as well, but then again, he's 31, on massive wages, doubt they'd get a big fee for him.
shame, always thought he was a good player.

I think he went downhill after leaving Leverkusen.

[dww]

I think he went downhill after leaving Leverkusen.

Probably true. He is still immensely talented though.

He has no natural place in the Chelsea team now though with them heading to a more 4-4-2 type formation and Makelele on the way out. I think a midfield three of Makelele deep and Lampard and Ballack in front of him would have been good. Essien is too dynamic for that three to work but is a better player than either Makelele or Ballack now so he really has to be accomodated whatever formation Chelsea play.

Ballack did nothing for Chelsea last season of note so they are probably best off without him.

[Imy]

Probably true. He is still immensely talented though.

He has no natural place in the Chelsea team now though with them heading to a more 4-4-2 type formation and Makelele on the way out. I think a midfield three of Makelele deep and Lampard and Ballack in front of him would have been good. Essien is too dynamic for that three to work but is a better player than either Makelele or Ballack now so he really has to be accomodated whatever formation Chelsea play.

Ballack did nothing for Chelsea last season of note so they are probably best off without him.

Agree to a point, in my opinion it has to be fatso or Ballack, like Gerrard and Fat Frank they do not blend well.

[Parm]

Agree to a point, in my opinion it has to be fatso or Ballack, like Gerrard and Fat Frank they do not blend well.

defo, dunno how Fat boy gets in these teams!

[cobain]

They dont want him CL cup tied, as it'd reduce their chances of offloading him in January.

That's why Baroš didn't play them in his last season for LFC

[Resu]

The key to both problems are Lampard. He`s very good at what he does, but he`s also very limited IMO. A sort of luxury player.

[dww]

Agree to a point, in my opinion it has to be fatso or Ballack, like Gerrard and Fat Frank they do not blend well.

I think this is the case in a 4-4-2 but if you move beyond that both combinations have potential - the problem is you have to want to build your team around it.

defo, dunno how Fat boy gets in these teams!

Lampard is the best percentages player in the PL. He is limited but he is exceptionally reliable and does certain simple things phenomenally well. Nearly all his shots are on target and are low which is the most likely place for them to do damage (even if they require deflections to beat the keeper - this is more likely if the shots start on target).

He is not a flair player but he creates a lot by carrying the ball from defensive areas up the field and giving simple balls.