Malouda: Sub Role Highly Frustrating

Florent Malouda found it "frustrating" to be kept on the bench until the last 15 minutes of Friday night's World Cup stalemate with Uruguay.

France failed to win in their opening group match for the third successive World Cup as Raymond Domenech's mis-firing side failed to find a way past their Group A opponents at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.

Domenech deployed Malouda, Thierry Henry and Andre Pierre Gignac off the bench but the Chelsea forward admits it was disappointing to come on with just 15 minutes left.

"It's frustrating," he said. "But that's life. I hope I get a chance to show my quality.

"Hopefully we can take this (point) as an opportunity to move on. That will be important."

After Group A rivals South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 in yesterday's early match, Domenech believes it is they who hold the advantage.

"We lacked that last bit, the last pass," Domenech admitted. "We had to guard against an unlucky counter (by the opposition).

"It is almost a beautiful 0-0, but the result is what it is. They were good, solid in defence."

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan had a few opportunities for the South Americans, whose emphasis was on keeping tight and looking to counter.

France, though, had chances to win the game, not least in the seventh minute when winger Sidney Govou somehow side-footed wide from close range after Franck Ribery's teasing left-wing cross.

The outgoing France boss added: "The other two have the advantage."

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez, whose side were not bullied in terms of possession by the 1998 champions, said: "The pitch was not particularly good. It created some problems for us controlling the ball.

"Bearing in mind what happened in the game and that France, a recent world champion who are very well organised and prepared, I think it is not a bad result, bearing all this in mind.

"The results in the second round of matches are now more important because both opening matches ended in draws."

Tabarez was forced to defend his team's discipline on the eve of the match and had to do the same last night after substitute Nicolas Lodeiro was sent off for two bookings.

"I think football is one thing, and behaviour on the pitch is a different kettle of fish," he said. "Theoretically, any card is avoidable but I was once a player and I know what it is like to be out there. So I understand my players' point of view."

Lampard Out To Impress

Frank Lampard is determined to make an impact in what he expects to be his last World Cup, while he believes the vast experience in England's squad should stand them in good stead.

The Three Lions bowed out at the quarter-final stage in Germany four years ago and Lampard admits he failed to produce his best form.

The Chelsea midfielder, who will turn 32 later this month, knows that he must take the opportunity to show what he can do in South Africa.

And he insists spirits are high in the camp because senior players such as himself, Steven Gerrard and John Terry have learned a lot from the last couple of tournaments.

"The confidence in ourselves is quite similar to four years ago when there was the same kind of build-up pre-Germany," he said.

"A lot of us are maybe more confident in a way because of the experience of having been there.

"I certainly feel better for my years of experience in club football and at international level.

"But, by the same token, we know how difficult a difficult a competition this is.

"People can fancy our chances and we're very settled in our minds but we have to go out and perform."

Lampard recognises that he is not likely to get another chance to go to the World Cup in 2014.

Reflecting on the 2006 event, he said: "That last World Cup wasn't great for me personally, and wasn't fantastic for the team.

"We got knocked out in the quarter-finals yet again. You don't get that many World Cups in your career and this could possibly be my last, in fact probably my last.

"I want to look back and say I was part of a team that was successful and have been personally successful as well.

"If it is the last one I play, we'll put everything in there to make sure it's as good as it can be."

Didier Drogba Still Major Doubt For Opening Game

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba remains a major doubt for the team's opening World Cup match against Portugal because of his broken arm.

Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said that Drogba will work on his ball skills at practice, but that physical contact with other players was not a risk worth taking at the moment.

"We can't risk any contact at this point," Eriksson said.

Drogba was injured in a friendly against Japan last Friday and had surgery a day later.

Eriksson conceded that Drogba's absence in Tuesday's opening Group G encounter in Port Elizabeth would be a big loss to the team but that he was working on "a B plan and a plan C as well."

"He's going to practice today but of course we have to be prepared for the worst," Eriksson said.

Ivory Coast are widely considered to be Africa's best hope of lifting the World Cup and blessed with a wide array of talent, including Drogba's Chelsea team-mate, Salomon Kalou, and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure.

However, they have been drawn in an extremely tough group for the second successive tournament. After getting their campaign under way against 2006 semifinalist Portugal, Ivory Coast then face five-time winners Brazil before meeting North Korea in their final match.

Ivory Coast's preparations for the World Cup were complicated by the dismissal of coach Vahid Halilhodzic in February after a quarter-final loss to Algeria at the African Cup of Nations, his first defeat in 24 games. Eriksson was appointed about a month later.

Ghana Play Down Michael Essien Blow

Ghana captain Stephen Appiah is confident they can cope in South Africa without Michael Essien and revealed they are in daily contact with the Chelsea midfielder.

Essien missed a large part of the season due to knee and ankle injuries and has hardly played since December.

Ghana begin their campaign against Serbia on Sunday and Appiah said: “When you are talking about the Ivory Coast, you talk about Didier Drogba.

“When you talk about Cameroon, you talk about (Samuel) Eto'o, and when you talk about Ghana, you talk about Michael Essien.

“But in this Black Stars team, even if Michael is not there, someone has to take his position.”

Appiah said they had received support from their star player while they had given him encouragement in his bid to regain fitness.

“We are with him on the phone every day,” said Appiah. “He is on rehab, we try to give positive vibes.”

Ghana also face Germany and Australia and Appia admitted that reaching the last 16 in 2006 has lifted expectations in his homeland.

“Now they want us to get the cup,” added the midfielder. “Some of the players who were there took a lot of things from that tournament.”

Ballack Blames Abramovich For Chelsea Exit

Michael Ballack has confirmed it was Roman Abramovich and not Carlo Ancelotti who ended his Chelsea career and the German midfielder says he is not yet ready to wind down his career in the USA or Dubai.

Chelsea confirmed on Wednesday that Ballack, Joe Cole and Juliano Belletti had all been released by the club, and the decision to cut the Germany international loose came as a surprise given he started 34 games as the Blues secured the domestic Double under Carlo Ancelotti.

It is reported that the Italian wanted to retain Ballack but was overruled by Abramovich, who is keen to reduce the playing age of the Stamford Bridge squad. Ballack harbours no ill-feeling towards Chelsea though, even if his first priority was to sign a new contract.

"It's unfortunate we couldn't come together, but I have to put it behind me," Ballack said in The Times. "I've known for a while that the negotiations had stopped and it's time to move on. I have to find a new club and carry on with my career.

"Chelsea was always my first choice as I had four great years at the club and enjoyed every minute, but it was not to be. It's still my first choice, even now, but it was not up to me. The decision was down to Roman.

"We [Ancelotti and Ballack] have a great relationship and I know he respected me as a player. I loved the club. They always made me feel welcome and there was a special atmosphere in the team. We won three FA Cups and the Premier League in four years, but winning the Double this season was unbelievable as it was a real piece of history.

"Chelsea do not have the history of Liverpool or Manchester United but are growing as a club. I wish them well for the future."

It is reported that Ballack could seek financially-lucrative employment in the Middle East or join the exodus of aging players to MLS, but with Euro 2012 in his sights, the midfielder has suggested that a return to Germany, where he previously represented Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Kaiserslautern and Chemnitz, is likely.

"To end my career like this is not an option," Ballack said. "I want to play for at least two more years at the highest level so I can play for Germany at the European Championship.

"I've played in three Euros and two World Cups so know how special they are and can't end like this. I'm even more determined to carry on since I've been injured and the motivation is growing inside me every single day.

"I'm not yet ready to 'retire' by going to the United States or Dubai and want to stay in Europe. I'm a proud German who always enjoyed living there, so have some options back home."

However, both Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen have ruled out moves for Ballack on financial grounds.

Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs told Kicker: "Although it would be nice. it is an illusion.''

Bayer official Wolfgang Holzhauser said: "The relationship between Bayer and Michael Ballack was always special and we were an important step in his career. A question is whether we could afford such a move now. We have not had any talks on the issue as yet but I must say I have my doubts.''

Chelsea - Wage Bill Slashed!

The official announcement yesterday of the departure of three players who have contracts that expire at the end of this month has seen the tabloids kick into a frenzy regarding our wage bill.

According to the tabloid press the departure of Joe Cole, Michael Ballack, Juliano Belletti and also Deco will shave in excess of a massive £18 million off of the wage bill.

Now we’re not quite sure if the figures given to us by the tabloid press are 100% accurate but they’ll suffice for the purpose of this article.

Apparently Michael Ballack was on a salary of £7 million, Joe Cole was on a salary of £4.6 million, Deco was on £5 million and Juliano Belletti was on £2.5 million.

Chelsea Target Marek Hamsik Confirms Napoli Agreement Over Contract Extension

Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik has revealed he has a verbal agreement with the club over a contract extension until 2015.

The midfield ace is currently in South Africa with Slovakia as preparations continue ahead of Tuesday's clash with New Zealand at the Royal Bafokeng in Rustenburg.

But despite the World Cup focus, Hamsik has shown a distinct alacrity towards a new deal, hoping Napoli bring it to life.

"Both myself and the club have the intention to renew my contract. The intention is to continue on this road so we can continue to be protagonists," Hamsik told Il Corriere dello Sport.

"I am ready for this World Cup, and my future is at Napoli. I want to train well for the tournament now so I am ready to face this adventure."

Agent - Toure Price Too High

Yaya Toure's agent Dimitri Seluk believes Barcelona are pricing the midfielder out of a move to the Premier League.

Toure has been widely tipped to leave Camp Nou this summer after making just 18 starts in the league last term.

The 27-year-old has been linked with a move to Manchester City, while talk of a switch to Arsenal as part of a deal that would see Cesc Fabregas join Barca has also been mooted.

Seluk would prefer Toure to join English champions Chelsea but admitted the Blues may be put off by the price tag.

"The problem is that Barca are asking for too much money because Yaya's demands are totally within reach of the clubs that want to sign him. The problem is what Barca are asking for," he told Sport newspaper.

"I would prefer him to play for Chelsea because they are a very strong team who have been in the elite for many years and who always aspire to be the best, but they won't pay so much money."

Seluk went on to admit that any transfer is unlikely to happen before the start of the World Cup with Toure on international duty with the Ivory Coast.

"Yaya is concentrating on the World Cup and I am sure he is going to play an important part," he added.

"As things stand, it is possible there is no definitive agreement before the World Cup.

"The ball is in Barcelona's court."

Bayer Leverkusen Confess Interest In Chelsea’s Michael Ballack

Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen have admitted their interest in signing veteran midfielder Michael Ballack, whose current contract with Chelsea will not be renewed when his deal expires at the end of this month.

Ballack, who is not involved at the World Cup due to injury, previously played for die Werkself from 1999 to 2002 having signed from Kaiserslautern, and it seems that the former Bayern Munich star could finish his career at the club should the notion take him.

“I don't want to make it a secret - when a player like Michael Ballack, with his history with us, is on the market, then we think about him,” Leverkusen director of sport Rudi Voeller is quoted as having said by Express newspaper.

“Michael had a great time here and we have remained in contact over the years. We are relaxed about it all, but Michael Ballack is an issue we are dealing with, particularly since he would like to return to Germany.”

There will be stiff competition for the veteran’s signature, with Wolfsburg and even Real Madrid already linked with a move, and former Germany international Voeller has admitted that his side cannot afford to break their budget to sign the 33-year-old. “A transfer would only be possible if the player accepted a pay cut,” he noted.

The Germany midfielder has played over 400 domestic league games in Germany and England, registering over 100 goals.

My Favourite Games: Ross Turnbull

Continuing our summer feature where Chelsea players tell us about their favourite matches played in and watched, Ross Turnbull rates our moyst recent game in the Champions League highest on his list.

And coming from the North East, the favourite game he ever watched took place at St James' Park and is still remembered fondly in that region today.

Favourite game to watch:
Being a northerner, who joined Chelsea from Middlesbrough, as a young fan Turnbull went to see Newcastle regularly.

He was inside St James' Park the season after Kevin Keegan's side had thrown away a huge points advantage over Manchester United, who eventually won the League in 1995/96.

The city there can often be chilly, and revenge was a dish served cold when the Toon Army's team thumped Manchester United 5-0 in the 1996/97 season.

The match included one of the greatest goals of that season, when David Ginola turned and rifled a shot into the top right of Peter Schmeichel's goal, adding to Darren Peacock's opener.

Further strikes would come from Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer before defender Philippe Albert expertly chipped over Schmeichel.

'I used to go to Newcastle as a kid and I was there when they beat Manchester United 5-0,' explains Turnbull. 'It's always good beating Man United but by five, that was just brilliant.

'Phillipe Albert's chip over Peter Schmeichel for the fifth goal, everyone always remembers that because it was just such a great goal and Ginola's was great as well.

'The atmosphere was outstanding, which isn't really a surprise considering it was such a big result and out of the blue. Not many teams beat Manchester United by that many goals.

'It was actually the season after they lost the 12-point lead as well; it was a bit of revenge, so it was that little bit extra special.'

Favourite game played:
Ross Turnbull's appearances in his first season may have been fe for the Blues but he still played a part in one of the toughest games in our campaign.

When Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge in the knock-out stages of the Champions League, both Petr Cech and Henrique Hilario were unavailable for selection through injury.

It meant Ross Turnbull would have to prove his capabilities in one of thew most tightly contested games of the season.

It may be strange for a keeper to consider the visit by Inter as his favourite considering we lost 1-0 after Samuel Eto'o guided a Wesley Sneijder through ball into the net, but Turnbull explains his decision.

'It was such a massive match and there was so much going on building up to it,' he says, 'it was just incredible.

'It was a big European night, Mourinho came back, the whole scenario around it was huge. It was such a massive game and it was a special one for me to be involved in.

'And the atmosphere for that game was one of the best of the season, just with all the anticipation that the fans must have felt.

'I know I keep saying it but it was such a massive night. It's just a shame we didn't win in the end.'

Summary Of A Season: John Terry

Ignoring the pressure and attention thrust upon him in the wake of losing the England captaincy in February, John Terry turned in another season of remarkable consistency in which he was rewarded by becoming the first Chelsea captain to lift the Double.

In a World Cup year, the England captain was never likely to be too far from the headlines, which began in pre-season with nouveau riche Manchester City wanting to take the Chelsea captain north. They were politely rebuffed and he re-affirmed his Chelsea commitment by signing a five-year contract.

On the field, Terry did not miss a game through injury, and while others around him suffered with fitness - every other Chelsea defender had a prolonged issue at some point in the season - it was he who played out the entire campaign alongside either Ricardo Carvalo, Branislav Ivanovic or Alex.

Whoever he was paired with, the results were usually the same. Imperious against Liverpool at the Bridge in October, he blocked, tackled and cleared his way to another clean sheet.

After two set-piece goals brought our downfall at Aston Villa, we responded with seven shutouts in eight games, including one against Manchester United, where the captain rose highest to head the game's only goal, and another at the Emirates, where a left-footed Terry pass helped create Didier Drogba's first of the afternoon. His range of passing on either foot has become a valuable attacking weapon, as was shown with Ashley Cole's Goal of the Season against Sunderland in January.

Defeat at Eastlands in early December would have hurt, as would the mistake that allowed Everton back in to draw at the Bridge a week later, but personal and collective form were recovered in January, when the headlines about Terry's private life began to appear.

The response was predictable, as the 29-year-old headed home the winner at Burnley to seize three points, and then his flick-on to Drogba set us on the way against Arsenal at home but low points would follow.

At Everton Louis Saha twice escaped his attentions to seal a win for the Merseysiders - three times this season the Frenchman got the better of JT - and then City profited from hesitation with Carvalho after Wolves had failed to make a missed clearance pay.

Those incidents are remembered now serve only to demonstrate the spotlight under which Terry found himself, there were others too whose form momentarily dropped, and it should be pointed out that no man played more minutes for Chelsea this season than the captain.

He returned to the scoresheet to see us into the FA Cup semi-finals, before watching on with joy as those at the other end began to grab the headlines with their attacking verve.

A red card at Tottenham, where he was unfairly criticised after having to cover out of position team-mates, was the only blot on the rest of the campaign, with other excellent displays coming against United and Liverpool.

Having lifted his third Premier League trophy, he did the same with the FA Cup after overcoming a metatarsal scare, and almost netted after heading against the crossbar.

Now it is to the World Cup with England, and while he no longer leads the side, there would be no man prouder to emulate 1966.