Chelsea Set To Make £25m Bid For Bayern Munich Star Bastian Schweinsteiger

Chelsea have arranged a £25 million offer for Bayern Munich and Germany international midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a fine season for Bayern, helping lead the club to a German league and cup Double.

The Bundesliga club’s bid for a historic Treble was halted in the Champions League final, where they were defeated 2-0 by Inter Milan.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is looking to add some talented young stars to his squad and Schweinsteiger could replace countryman Michael Ballack, who is set to leave Stamford Bridge with his contract running out this month, according to The Daily Star.

The Blues have begun talks with Schweinsteiger’s representatives and are ready to offer a £4m-a-year deal to the midfielder, but the Germany vice-captain is only concerned with his duties in South Africa this summer.

“Right now I’m focusing solely on the World Cup,” Schweinsteiger said.

“All the rest doesn’t interest me.”

Schweinsteiger, who can play as a winger or a central midfielder, is under contract at Bayern until 2012.

Chelsea Target Alexandre Pato Unsure Whether He Will Stay At AC Milan This Summer

Chelsea target Alexandre Pato has cast fresh doubt on his AC Milan future after he admitted he could talk to other clubs after July 20.

Pato, 20, has been a long-term, £38 million target since ex-Rossoneri head coach Carlo Ancelotti took over at Stamford Bridge. 'The Duck' exclusively revealed to Goal.com UK in February that he is a big fan of the Premier League and could see himself playing in the division.

Speaking to reporters at a charity event in South Africa, Pato stated he is prepared to speak to interested sides after Milan return to pre-season training next month.

"Now it is early to say if I stay at Milan," Pato revealed.

"These things I want to talk only after July 20. For my team I'm not even following the market. I came to South Africa for this charity project of Nike and cheer for Brazil playing my vuvuzela."

Both the player and his club endured a disappointing campaign last term. Milan finished 12 points behind champions Inter, while a succession of injuries saw Pato miss out on Brazil's World Cup squad.

Cole, Ballack And Belletti Depart Blues

Chelsea have confirmed midfield duo Joe Cole and Michael Ballack and defender Juliano Belletti will leave the club this summer.

The Barclays Premier League champions confirmed the departures of Cole and Ballack on Wednesday morning after the parties failed to reach agreement on new contracts and on Wednesday afternoon it was announced Belletti would join them.

Cole, who is part of England's World Cup squad in South Africa, has been linked with Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham.

As negotiations over a new contract at Stamford Bridge dragged on, it became increasingly likely Cole's seven-year stay would come to an end. Manager Carlo Ancelotti had repeatedly stressed his desire to hang on to the midfielder but behind the scenes the parties could not reach an agreement.

Chelsea's stance is also likely to have been influenced by Cole's failure to hold down a regular starting spot this season. The Londoner had been a key player in the rise of the club under owner Roman Abramovich but a serious knee injury suffered in January 2009 put him out for eight months and on his return he struggled to rediscover his best form.

Cole arrived at Stamford Bridge in a £6.6million deal from West Ham in the summer of 2003 and helped the Blues win their first Premier League titles under Jose Mourinho in 2005 and 2006.

Ballack leaves Chelsea after four years with the club unwilling to offer the German the two-year contract he was seeking.

The 33-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge following the end of his contract at Bayern Munich with a reputation as one of Europe's best players and on the back of a brilliant World Cup. But he has largely failed to live up to that billing, with injuries keeping him out of the team for lengthy spells.

Ballack helped Chelsea to their first Premier League title in four years this season while he also won the FA Cup three times.

Belletti, 33, was signed by Mourinho in August 2007 and leaves after completing his three-year contract.

Michael Ballack Shocked By Chelsea Exit - Agent

Michael Ballack was "completely surprised" by Chelsea's decision to let him leave the club on a free transfer, according to his agent.

Ballack, 33, will leave Stamford Bridge after four years in west London when his contract runs down at the end of the month. The injured Germany captain has since been linked with a move to Real Madrid and the Middle East.

Speaking to German broadcaster RTL, agent Michael Becker claimed there had been no contact with the Blues in recent months.

"He was completely surprised," Becker revealed.

"He has not spoken to Chelsea for three months."

Germany coach Joachim Low had claimed previously that Ballack will have plenty of teams to choose from.

"I am certain that Ballack will play two or three more years at the top level so he will certainly not be thinking of ending his career," he said to the press.

"He has lots of opportunities, and he told me this in Sicily. He even has some concrete offers from different clubs in different leagues.

"I think when you see what condition he was in recent months for Chelsea then it is clear he will play at the highest level for two to three more years."

Jose Mourinho Plots Shock Swoop For Out-Of-Contract Chelsea Midfielder Michael Ballack

Michael Ballack, set to be released by Chelsea according to some reports, has emerged as a surprise target for new Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, a report from The Daily Mail claims.

The 33-year-old German international, ruled out of the World Cup with an ankle injury, has apparently received offers from the Middle East.

German newspaper Bild add that Werder Bremen and Schalke are preparing offers for the midfielder, who has claimed that he wants "to play at the highest level for the next two years".

He is keen to continue his playing career in as competitive a league as possible though, having stated that it his aim to continue playing at the highest level.

The report claims that Mourinho sees Ballack as a good foil for Steven Gerrard in the Real midfield, although no formal contact has yet been made.

Joe Cole Wants To Start Against United States

Joe Cole believes his experience could win him a place in the England starting line-up to face the United States in their World Cup opener on Saturday.

The midfielder, 28, played his first match for England in 20 months against Japan in a friendly in May, having recovered from a serious knee injury.

"Managers like experience, especially at the start of tournaments," he said.

"It would mean the world to me to play against America and play in a third World Cup."

He added: "It's a great feeling. I remember going to Japan in 2002 as a youngster and it was all new but I've still got that energy and I still love it and I love coming away to these tournaments.

"I'm back to my best and want to show it at this World Cup."

However, Cole was keen to state that under Capello's reign, neither he or the rest of the players were assured of a place in the team.

"The great thing about the squad now, which is different to when I have been in England squads before, is that you don't know who the manager is going to pick in any position," he added.

"It keeps everyone on their toes.

Cole had remained a doubt to make the final 23-man squad until he produced a good performance against the Japanese on his return to international football - his 54th cap.

After recovering from his injury, midfielder Cole found it difficult to cement a regular place in Chelsea's championship-winning side this season, although he was instrumental in the Blues' charge towards the end of the season.

However, it was announced on Wednesday that he would be leaving the club on a free transfer in July.

When asked whether he ever thought the knee injury would damage his England future, Cole added: "It crossed my mind I wouldn't make this tournament but I never thought my career was over."

Cole also paid tribute to England coach Fabio Capello, whose style of management has impressed him.

"He's right up there with the best I've worked with," he said. "You need discipline at this level. Football has evolved and there is a lot of player power. He keeps the players on their toes."

John Terry Vows He Won't Be Distracted By Losing England Captaincy

John Terry has promised his manager, Fabio Capello, that he will not be distracted by losing the captaincy and will give everything to assist Steven Gerrard in England’s quest to win the World Cup.

The armband has moved around this season, even being worn by Wayne Rooney against Brazil in Doha. Gerrard inherited it after the injury to Rio Ferdinand, who had himself become England captain following Terry’s off-field travails.

Talking for the first time about the moment Capello stripped him of the captaincy, Terry said: “When I met the manager I stressed to him that I accepted his decision but one thing he gets from me is completely the same character and I am not going to allow my head to go down and beat myself up about it.

"I am here to win the World Cup like every other player and the manager. I will do everything possible for the team, whether it is an opinion away from football, I will say what needs to be said.

“At every level I play at, at training every day, I demand the same as the manager, that everybody gives 100 per cent. Of course different players have different qualities and you can have bad days as well, but the minimum is to go out there and give it everything.’’

Terry rejected the suggestion that the controversy over the loss of the armband, and ensuing vilification from away fans, had been a challenge to his mettle.

“It has not been a test at all. I got questioned earlier in the season about my form but at Chelsea towards the end of the season we had a lot of big games and I performed at my best level. I am really pleased with that.

“Nothing will ever change at Chelsea or England, whatever happens. I will still give my opinion in the dressing room and on the field and make my presence felt, whether I was wearing the armband or not.

"It was a big loss losing Rio in the week. Stevie and Lamps [Frank Lampard, the new vice-captain] now take the role.’’

Terry added that the senior players, even injured ones such as Ferdinand and David Beckham, would ensure team camaraderie remained strong in the build-up to the United States game here on Saturday.

“It is important Rio stays on board. We have Becks here, who can give his thoughts and opinions. People like Rio around the camp is brilliant. It is important for the squad he is staying. It is vital we stay unified.’’

Ferdinand sat in the sunshine watching training on Tuesday, his left knee encased in a huge brace. His replacement, Ledley King, missed training, protecting his own knee condition, but was moving freely and will be ready for the Group C opener.

“He does not train every day but his fitness levels are brilliant,’’ said Terry, who partnered King during the 3-0 defeat of Platinum Stars on Monday.

“He is a joy to play alongside. One ball got played into the box and he does a Cruyff on his left foot, which as a right-footed player is difficult to do.’’ King used his left foot to drag the ball away and clear. “He has great feet.’’

The pair played together as teenagers in the east London side Senrab, although Terry was a midfielder then. Terry remembers those days so fondly he keeps a picture of the team, including a towering King, on his mobile phone.

“We used to get told off and sent around the running pitch in training and away we went and we would be talking. He was similar to me in that he gave everything.

"He was a lot bigger than everyone else and he just used to scare the life out of everyone by just looking at them.

“It is a long journey from school days playing football together to the 2010 World Cup. We have kept in touch ever since and followed each other’s careers. He is a real nice bloke away from football.’’

It is impossible to talk to any player out here in South Africa without the vexed issue of the Jabulani ball being raised. “It is really difficult to judge,’’ said Terry.

“It goes left, right, all over the place. You think you have it and then it hits you full on the nose or drops a yard or moves to the right or left.’’

The ball may deviate but Terry’s commitment to England remains unwavering, with or without the armband.

Two In, One Out For Portugal

Ricardo Carvalho and Deco both played for Portugal as they beat Mozambique 3-0 in their final pre-World Cup friendly on Tuesday.

Paulo Ferreira was an unused sub and Deco was withdrawn on the hour as the Selecao laboured to victory in Johannesburg, despite having the better of the play.

They had to wait until the second half to break the deadlock, when seven minutes in Deco supplied a delicate pass for Danny to run through and finish.

Those same two players had linked up well in the first half to create a chance for Simao, who was denied by Mozambique goalkeeper Otshudia Lama.

The goalscorer turned provider fifteen minutes from time when he squared for Hugo Almeida, and Almeida grabbed a second close to the end when Cristiano Ronaldo's shot was only parried by Lama.

For Carvalho then, it is two full matches completed in a week, with a 45 minutes against Cape Verde to boot. Deco too earned much-needed minutes with his club season ending early, his hour today added to a full game against Cameroon and another 60 against Cape Verde.

Ferreira will probably now be questioning whether he will be a starter when Portugal kick off their World Cup campaign against Ivory Coast on June 15. The full-back played only 45 minutes against Cameroon, and 68 against Cape Verde.

Summary Of A Season: Michael Ballack

The Germany captain's season ended as it had begun nine months earlier, with injury. Kevin-Prince Boateng's late challenge in the FA Cup Final did not prevent the Chelsea man from joining in the Double-winning celebrations on the Wembley pitch, but it did force him out of a World Cup he had been desperately looking forward to.

A pre-season toe injury limited Michael's preparations, but after flying home from the tour in Seattle, he was ready for the Community Shield at Wembley, converting a penalty from the bench as we wrapped up our first silverware of the season.

It was as a sub that he started the Premier League campaign against Hull, but he was recalled to start at Sunderland, and it was he who kick-started the comeback, poking home from close range to tee up a 3-1 win.

He added his second and third against Burnley and Spurs as we won our first six league games, but then had to sit out defeat at Wigan and victory in Cyprus with a calf problem. Indeed it wasn't until December 5 that Ballack featured in a Chelsea defeat, though three days earlier he had uncharacteristically missed a penalty as we were eliminated from the Carling Cup at Blackburn.

The midfielder's best game of the season was probably at home to Blackburn in October, where he pulled the strings from the right of midfield, laying on chance after chance for his team-mates.

With Didier Drogba so deadly from just about anywhere on the pitch, it was unusual for Ballack to get a look in at free-kicks, where he had proved deadly before - when he did, late on against Everton in December, he found visiting goalkeeper Tim Howard in fine form, and we had to settle for a 3-3 draw.

He called on Chelsea's senior players to deliver in the absence of the Africans at the Nations Cup, and they duly delivered, the 33-year-old chipping in with another goal against Sunderland himself, and supplying one of the passes of the season to play in Nicolas Anelka, a delicate touch between two defenders that left the Frenchman one-on-one.

Having completed his season's scoring against Cardiff in the FA Cup, Ballack saw red against City at the end of February. Already booked for dissent, he executed a needlessly reckless challenge on Carlos Tevez that belied his experience and sent us down to nine men after Juliano Belletti had already been dismissed.

Out of Europe after an impotent showing against Inter, we regained focus in the Premier League and FA Cup, yet in the big games Ballack was dropped to the bench as we retook the lead in the title race.

Injury to John Mikel Obi at Tottenham gave him a way back in, and he responded well, offering more in attack than the Nigerian as Stoke, Liverpool and Wigan were brushed aside to seal a first English league title for the well-medalled German.

It was then no surprise when he was given the nod to start the Cup Final, but his day at Wembley was to last just 43 minutes, having tried to limp on after Boateng's late challenge on 35.

Joining in with the after-match party, he must have known the news that was to come - that the summer will be spent recovering at Cobham, rather than in South Africa.