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Ballack 'in no rush' to sign new Chelsea deal

07/07/2008

Michael Ballack has said there is "no need to rush" over signing a new contract with Chelsea, despite the fact his current deal expires in less than a year.

The German international midfielder has been with the Blues for two seasons since joining from Bayern Munich in 2006.

And since enduring a relatively disappointing first season in the Premier League, Ballack has been rumoured to be keen to leave England for a new challenge.

Despite enjoying a better sequence of performances in the second half of the 2007/08 season, Ballack suffered the heartache of losing out in the race for the Premier League and in the Champions League final to Manchester United, as well as the Carling Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur.

He also captained Euro 2008 runners-up Germany as they lost the final of the summer tournament to Spain and, speaking to German newspaper Bild, the 31-year-old did little to dispel rumours he may still be looking for a move away from Stamford Bridge.

"I have a contract until 2009 and there is an option to extend it, so there is no need to rush," he said.

"We will just wait and see what happens."

Despite the quadruple disappointment of last season, and the trophyless 2007/08 campaign, Ballack remains convinced he is with the correct club in order to add silverware to his trophy cabinet in the next 12 months.

"Even without new signings, Chelsea already had an exceptional squad which is capable of winning something always," he said.

"That obviously means [we can win] the Champions League next season.

"That is the reason why I moved to Chelsea. I am playing in the best league in the world with one of the strongest teams."