Mourinho double-checks Ballack's fitness
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed how suggestions Michael Ballack was nearing full fitness prompted him to visit the German midfielder last week in a bid to discover the truth for himself.
Ballack’s fitness level was the subject of much contradiction between the Germany and Chelsea medical camps during the international break and Mourinho admits he followed the unfolding events with great interest.
He spent much of the international break recording matches and tying to watch his players in action but he was also intrigued by the Ballack situation.
Chelsea had left the player out of their Champions League squad for the forthcoming group games but Germany claimed Ballack’s injury was not severe enough to keep him out for the duration of the first stage of the competition.
Mourinho said: “I was at home taping games and trying to watch my players’ matches and I was also reading a little about general football issues.
“One of them caught my eye, it was obviously the Michael Ballack story, where at one point I thought ’He is ready to play. If anyone can be critical of Chelsea for leaving him out of the Champions League list it is because a miracle happens and he is ready to train and play!’
“So on Tuesday, the first thing I did was to go and see him but I was surprised he was not ready to train, he was like he has been for the last four months, in the medical room.”
Chelsea’s chief-executive Peter Kenyon had already made it clear Ballack was omitted from the squad on medical grounds alone and that, despite speculation to the contrary, he would not be sold in the January transfer window.
Now Mourinho wants Ballack back in his squad as soon as possible and insisted that last season, while the player was even being criticised by sections of the club’s own fans, he was right behind the Germany captain.
Mourinho added: “Do I want him to play? Of course yes. Last season, against a sea of critics, I was the only one behind him, so this season where I am playing with wingers and where he could make a top contribution to our game I don’t want him?
“If he is fit or if the medical department thinks he is ready to play football in the next couple of months, do we leave him out of the Champions League list?
“Of course not. I miss him on the pitch. Since April I only see him in the medical room and sometimes at lunch in the canteen.
“Because I am not a doctor, the Chelsea doctor reports that the player will not be ready to play in most games in the Champions League group, what do I do? Believe in the Chelsea doctor or believe in others? The answer is simple.
“Let’s wait and see when Michael is ready to play football again for Chelsea.”
