Mourinho wants dream Ballack-Lampard pairing
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-03-14 08:48

"Together they would be the dream pairing in Europe."

But Ballack has to think whether he wants to leave a cemented spot in Bayern's midfield and gamble on winning a place in Chelsea's star-studded line-up.

England international Wright-Phillips left Manchester City with the same hope and is now just a fringe player.

Would Germany's finest player risk a similar role?

Real Madrid and Inter Milan were two other options but constant managerial changes are said to have put Ballack off Madrid, while Inter baulked at the 'exorbitant' wage demands.

That leaves Chelsea or Bayern.

Adapting to the physical nature of the English Premiership would certainly test Ballack, technically adept but not the most robust player, although Mourinho may choose to use him behind a main striker rather than in the muscular midfield area.

Bayern, who shelled out 12.9 milllion pounds (23.2 million dollars) to bring Ballack from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2002, were dismayed when the German international turned down a four-year extension and appear resigned to watching the player in the blue of Chelsea next season.

"I am sure that by now he is joining Chelsea," said Bayern vice-chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

"There is not much chance he'll stay. The reasons are not of an economic nature, but in his desire to have new experiences."

Ballack turned down Real Madrid in the summer of 2002, claiming he was not ready to move abroad, and is unlikely to pass up the opportunity in 2006.