Ballack Returns To Leverkusen On Two-year Deal

Michael Ballack has joined Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year contract. The 33-year-old, who is missing the World Cup through an injury picked up in the FA Cup final victory, was released by Chelsea at the end of last season.

The midfielder is returning to the Bundesliga and his old side, with whom he reached the Champions League final in 2002

"With my transfer to Bayer Leverkusen a circle is complete. I had a beautiful and successful time here, on which I like to look back on a lot," Ballack told the club's website.

"That was a factor in my decision." Ballack added: "But above all the good sporting potential of this young and attractive team were persuasive.

"I am especially looking forward to the great fans, who naturally have been key in my decision to return to Bayer."

Ballack, who spent three years with Bayer before leaving for Bayern Munich in 2002 and then moving on to Chelsea in 2006, will reportedly earn around €12 million over a two-year stay at Bayer.

Steve McClaren's Wolfsburg were also believed to have been interested in him, but Ballack has opted for a return to his old club.

Bayer sporting director is delighted to have signed a player of Ballack's experience, and believes he will help the development of the club's crop of young players.

"With Michael Ballack our team is getting an enormous boost in quality," he said. "Especially our many young players will benefit from his abilities and his experience.

"We did everything to convince Michael. That his preference was for Bayer despite our limited financial possibilities in comparison to the competition shows his emotional attachment to the club."

Salomon Kalou Admits Disappointment At Ivory Coast's Performances

Chelsea attacker Salomon Kalou has admitted pressure at World Cup 2010 has been to blame for Ivory Coast's poor tournament.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's side look set to crash out of Group G unless they can turn around a nine-goal disadvantage to Portugal in Friday’s fixtures.

The Elephants were hotly-tipped before the tournament, but a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Brazil has condemned them to an early flight home and they will need a miracle against North Korea.

Speaking to reporters, Kalou blamed high expectations as the cause for the squad's flop.

"Expectations were huge and we owed it to ourselves to perform well. But the pressure has caused us more stress than anything and even inhibited our talents," Kalou said.

"All of us have put lots of pressure on ourselves because this World Cup is being played on our continent.

"There have been a few players who haven't been up to the standard required. Their abilities have been crushed by the pressure they've put on their own shoulders."

My Favourite Games: Scott Sinclair

He may have spent the season away from Stamford Bridge but that did not stop Scott Sinclair sharing his memories of his two favourite matches, one in which he played, and the other which he watched.

Favourite game played:

This may seem an unlikely choice for many but add to the fixture the fact it's your Premier League debut for Chelsea and all will make sense.

Sinclair's favourite game to ever play in was exactly that, when he first donned the senior team's shirt in the Barclays Premier League against Arsenal in May 2007, when a draw saw the Blues relinquish the title to Manchester United.

It was a depleted Chelsea side that travelled to north London as Ricardo Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Andrey Shevchenko and Arjen Robben all missed the fixture through injury.

Add to it that Khalid Boulahrouz was shown red during the first half; a dwindling Chelsea side were soon down to 10.

Gilberto Silva scored first, netting for the home side two minutes before the break, before Michael Essien evened the scores with a phenomenal strike in the 70th. It was 10 minutes after that Sinclair's debut would arrive.

Swapping for Shaun Wright-Phillips on the wing, under the watchful gaze of Jose Mourinho, Sinclair did well to set up Frank Lampard in the final minute, only for our number eight to narrowly miss the target.

'My favourite game was making my League debut for Chelsea,' says Sinclair, 'it was such a big thing for me. That will always stay in my mind.'

Favourite game watched:

It is proving to be popular. You have to go back five years for Scott's favourite game he's seen, to when he was a 16-year-old watching Liverpool take on Milan in the Final of the Champions League.

Liverpool had sealed their place in the final thanks to a phantom goal against Chelsea in the semis, and went on to produce a pretty dismal display during the first-half against Carlo Ancelotti's AC Milan.

They were playing in Istanbul and conceded the first goal with only 50 seconds of football played, when Paulo Maldini struck.

Then, for Milan's second, Andrey Schevchenko crossed for Herman Crespo to tap in at the near post before the Argentine made it three in the 42nd minute.

No one would have blamed you for thinking the game was beyond reach for Liverpool as they returned to the pitch for the second half, but it wasn't.

Instead Steven Gerrard rallied his side for one of the most incredible comebacks in football's recent history.

Heading home a John Arne Riise cross, the Liverpool captain brought belief back to the ranks only nine minutes after the restart.

A further goal then arrived from Vladimir Smicer before Xabi Alonso was given the opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot. He missed the initial shot but followed up on the rebound as Dida failed to hold on. It was 3-3 with 30 minutes left.

There would be no more goals in normal or extra-time and Liverpool eventually went on to win the game 3-2 on penalties, as Serginho, Andrea Pirlo and, surprisingly, Shevchenko all missed from the spot.

'How they came back from the 3-0 is amazing,' says Sinclair, 'and in the Champions League Final as well.

'At 3-0 you think the game is done but Gerrard was the difference in that one.'

Chelsea Could Pip Man City To David Silva

Manchester City have been given permission to open talks with Valencia midfielder David Silva, but Chelsea could yet make a move for the player.

Roberto Mancini has been linked with a move for Silva for weeks, and now his Spanish club have agreed to let City talk to the winger. The two clubs have yet to agree a fee but it now seems certain that Silva will be heading to the Premier League.

"As has been said, there is interest from Manchester City and we have permitted them to talk to the player, but we have reached no agreement and we have not talked about a fee," said Valencia's deputy chairman Javier Gomez.

Although City appear to be in pole position to land the midfielder's signature, it is far from certain that he will opt to move to Eastlands. Only on Sunday, Silva spoke of his desire to join Chelsea and the player's agent has again suggested he may prefer a move to Stamford Bridge.

"We're weighing up offers from three clubs and one is Chelsea," his agent, Julio Llorente, told the Daily Mail. "If Silva doesn't want to go to City, the transfer isn't possible."

Silva, currently with Spain at the World Cup finals, is expected to cost in the region of £28 million. While that is small change to owners of both clubs, it could be that Chelsea may prefer to spend big on a striker rather.

Last weekend Silva said of possible interest from Chelsea: "Chelsea have established themselves as one of the best clubs in Europe over the last five years. They might not have the history of Real Madrid or AC Milan but they are creating their own history now.

"There is no reason why in the future Chelsea can't be as decorated as Real Madrid. Chelsea probably have, along with Barcelona, the best squad in football and if any player joins Chelsea he knows he is going to win things.

"In players like John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, they have players who would get into any team in the world and it would be a pleasure to play with them. There is no doubt in my mind that Chelsea would be a great club to play for - and a club where I could fulfil my ambition of league titles and the European Cup.

"The Premier League is still the place to be. No other league in the world has six or seven Champions League-quality teams."

Ballack Ready To Make His Mind Up

Michael Ballack has declared that he will make a decision on his future in the next fortnight.

The midfielder is on the lookout for a new club after Chelsea confirmed earlier this month that he would not be offered a new deal.

Having spent the past four years at Stamford Bridge, reports suggest that Ballack could now return to his native Germany.

Hamburg, Wolfsburg and Ballack's former club Bayer Leverkusen are understood to be leading the chase and will not have to wait long for his decision.

"I am able to confirm that I am going to make up my mind quickly," the 33-year-old told Bild.

"There will be a decision on my future in the next two weeks."

Leverkusen general manager Rudi Voller, meanwhile, has reiterated that he is hopeful of signing Ballack.

"It would be great news to see Michael returning to our club," stated Voller.

"(Manager) Jupp Heynckes would be extremely happy to see Michael coming back to us."

John Terry Throws Himself Back Into England Favour

It was a freeze-frame moment; a study of determination that appealed to the core of Fabio Capello and what he demands. Having hurled his body in the way of one fierce Slovenian shot, John Terry scrambled up and projected himself, almost horizontally, towards another.

His nose was just about brushing the turf, his neck muscles straining as he desperately tried to stop the ball. He was engulfed in one aim. They will not score. Terry narrowly missed but maybe he had done enough to unsettle the dangerous Valter Birsa and Glen Johnson was there to hack clear.

It was the 68th minute of Wednesday’s match, thick with tension, a tension that only increased, and it was as close as Slovenia came to breaching the England goal. It was also an episode which captured the essence of why Terry remains a remarkably committed, valuable defender even if his stock has dwindled dramatically off-the-field through recent months.

A man who should be an adjutant to captain Steven Gerrard — and by extension Capello — had developed into an agitator with his ill-judged, outspoken interventions of last weekend and his prickly mood around the camp before that. They revealed the strain at the heart of this England squad but also an opportunism that showed his own discontent and the isolation that he was in danger of placing himself in unless he acted.

But on Wednesday he was back on the pitch — a domain he is always more comfortable on than the podium. There was, in the immediate aftermath of the revelations over his private life last spring, evidence that he can steel himself through adversity — as he did scoring for Chelsea away to Burnley — even if he later revealed in subsequent performances that the pressure was showing.

The affair with Wayne Bridge’s former partner cost Terry the captaincy and that has continued to distract him, eat at him and been a factor in his anger that led to the possibility of a mutiny - by one man at least. Terry has since apologised to Capello, to the squad and also, one by one, to the players he named as having gone for a drink following the soulless draw against Algeria and who were horrified to be implicated by him in some kind of conspiracy.

It has surely been another humbling experience for Terry in the past few days but without Rio Ferdinand and with Ledley King injured and Jamie Carragher suspended, England needed him to step forward especially as, alongside him in central defence, Matthew Upson was beset by nerves, passing the ball haphazardly and appearing almost stage-struck. Terry had sought out Gerrard prior to kick-off for one of those pre-match chest kisses and he produced a performance that banished the doubts about his worth to this team.

Had he been anything less than excellent and it may have even become an issue as to whether Capello would leave him out for the last-16 match.

England still remain one poor performance from a crisis, a day of reckoning and accusation and Terry will be central to that shake-out whatever happened. But not on Wednesday.

He played his part on Wednesday, stamping his mark on the contest — there was a fearless recovery tackle after Upson had allowed the ball to bounce over his head, there was a storming run forward after England had scored and time and again he was there to intervene, push his body in the way and block. It’s what he does best. Terry almost scored, also, reaching a deep corner at the far post only for Slovenia’s impressive goalkeeper Samir Handanovic to push his header out. That would have been too much, surely, but Terry was relentless in his protection of the cause, his desire to keep England’s campaign alive.

Upson reacted too. At the death, Terry faltered, the ball running away from him, trying for one more desperate intervention but as substitute Zlato Dedic shaped to shoot, perhaps pulling the trigger to end England’s hopes, end Capello’s reign, it was Upson who threw everything into an emphatic tackle. It was one of which Terry would have been proud and after days in which he had hurt his own reputation and caused angst here was 90 minutes of redemption, 90 minutes of release. Capello will hope the unease as well as the fear has disappeared.

England Substitute Joe Cole Admits Relief At Slovenia Win

England star Joe Cole has admitted that the Three Lions' 1-0 World Cup victory over Slovenia was the most tense game he's been involved in during his career.

Jermain Defoe's first half winner was enough for Fabio Capello's side to clinch the win they needed to take them through to the second round of the tournament and Cole, a second half substitute for Wayne Rooney in Port Elizabeth, admits that the team were "exceptional".

"I could have got the nod today but the guys that came in - they were exceptional," Cole said.

"It was nice to come on and play a part. If we all stick together like we have done, we can go as far as we want in the tournament."

Cole, 28, has been involved in a number of tense and tight matches during his career but the Chelsea man, whose contract with the Blues expires at the end of the month, claims Wednesday's meeting with Slovenia tops the lot in terms of nerves.

"I have never been involved in such a tense game," he added.

"I've played in a Champions League final, FA Cup finals, league deciders but this was so tense so there was a lot of nervous energy.

"But I feel I have done what I've come on to do - slow the game down a bit, limit their passing.

I Couldn't Care Less That We Finished Second - Lampard

Frank Lampard is insisting that he "couldn't care less" about England's second-place finish in Group C at the World Cup, as it will give the side more time to prepare for their showdown with Germany on Sunday.

A last-gasp Landon Donovan winner for USA against Algeria relegated England into second place, leaving them to contemplate a more testing passage to glory than they would have faced had they won the group.

If they can negotiate a way past Germany, England are likely to face a quarter-final clash against an Argentina side that stormed through the opening stage with maximum points - but Lampard is remaining unconcerned about potential future opponents.

"I couldn't care less that we have finished second," Lampard said. “You cannot pick and choose your future matches. And finishing second might actually be a bonus for us because it now means we've got an extra day's rest before our next game on Sunday, rather than playing on Saturday."

England qualified for the round of 16 after producing a markedly improved performance to defeat Slovenia 1-0, having stuttered to draws against USA and Algeria in their first two games in South Africa.

Fabio Capello's men looked less inhibited by fear, and played with a greater freedom in their passing and movement as a result. Lampard was impressed by the performance, and he is urging his team-mates to use it as a springboard for progression in the tournament.

"This performance gives us a lot to build on. You have seen it many a time when teams in tournaments start a bit cagey and then come strong," he said. "We have to try to follow that model and try to keep improving every game. For everyone who is in it, the tournament starts here because it is knock-out."

Florent Malouda: France's World Cup Was "A Complete Disaster"

Florent Malouda acknowledged that France’s World Cup campaign has been a complete disgrace.

After a 2-1 defeat to host South Africa on Tuesday, France crashed out of the tournament earning only a single point and scoring just one goal in finishing bottom of Group A.

Malouda confessed that the players are the only ones to blame for the poor campaign in South Africa and believes that the team has a lot of work to do if they are going to repair the damage done to France’s reputation.

"The way people see France right now is a disaster and we, as players, are the first responsible for that,” Malouda told The Sun.

"We have failed from the sport's point of view and outside the sport in the image we've shown.

"I don't know if it's going to be possible but we have to work hard to restore the image of the French national team in the world."

The Chelsea star admitted that the team’s mutiny after Blues team-mate Nicolas Anelka was a catastrophe.

"Yeah, it was a complete disaster. We didn't know it would affect so many people."

Ivanovic Eliminated

Defeat to Australia saw Branislav Ivanovic and Serbia knocked out of the World Cup on Wednesday night, as Germany and Ghana went through.

Serbia were well-fancied against the Australians but wasted a host of first-half chances and then fell two behind, while Germany were 1-0 winners over Ghana, the Africans progressing thanks to their superior goal difference to Australia.

Ivanovic played the full 90 minutes for the Serbs, and almost scored, only to see his shot brilliantly saved (pictured above) before Australia took control and ended the Chelsea man's World Cup dream.

Ghana went into the final round of games top of Group D, and required only a point against the Germans to secure their passage into the last 16. Germany needed to win to guarantee their qualification, but could go through with a draw if the Serbs did not beat Australia.

For Ivanovic and Serbia it was simple, win and you're through, and they started the better side against the Australians, who themselves were not yet eliminated but would need Ghana to beat the Germans to progress.

Inside the opening minutes Milos Krasic could and then should have given his side the lead, first shooting straight at Aussie 'keeper Mark Schwarzer, and then rounding him but shooting over from a tight angle.

Germany were almost gifted the lead at Soccer City when John Mensah diverted the ball towards his own goal, Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson forced into a tremendous save to keep it out.

After 20 minutes in Nelspruit, Chelsea man Ivanovic made a key interception at the far post, out-jumping Josh Kennedy after mark Bresciano had delivered a deep cross from the Australian right.

Two minutes later he could have given his side the lead, ghosting into the area and firing a bouncing ball hard across Schwarzer, who outstretched his arm and made the type of excellent save fans of his Premier League club Fulham have grown used to seeing.

Sami Khedira should have scored for Germany but was denied by Ghanaian stopper Kingson, and then Nikola Zigic headed wide for the Serbs after Ivanovic had supplied a killer cross.

Krasic had an effort disallowed for offside and Kingson pushed a Bastian Schweinsteiger free-kick away, so both games went in goalless at half-time. If it stayed that way, Ivanovic would head home.

Jason Culina fired just wide and then Mark Bresciano had a free-kick tipped wide as Australia started the second period brightly in Nelspruit, and then came news of a German goal from Soccer City.

It came from Mesut Ozil, one of the bright young things of this tournament, who sent a dipping left-footed shot into the Ghanaian net.

Now Serbia definitely needed a goal, but they were on the back foot and twice Ivanovic saved them, first hooking clear as the ball bounced in a busy penalty area, and then when he beat Tim Cahill to a loose ball after goalkeeper Dragan Stojkovic had let the ball out of his grasp. First class from the Double-winning defender.

Ivanovic couldn't save them a third time though, and when Cahill out-jumped Nemanja Vidic and headed goalwards, there was only one outcome, and Serbia had a mountain to climb.

That mountain grew just minutes later as sub Brett Holman fired in from distance to double the Australian lead, and suddenly the Socceroos had a chance to go through.

They still needed two more goals though, either for themselves or the Germans, to level the goal difference with Ghana, but when Marko Pantelic pulled one back for Serbia their dream must have died.

The forward had the ball in the net again, but the flag went up, and when the same player sent an easy chance a yard over from just six yards out, the game was up. It is a desperately disappointing end to the season for one of Chelsea's most improved men.

Germany will now face England, and Ghana will play USA in the second round matches this weekend.

My Favourite Games: Juliano Belletti

Juliano Belletti is another whose time with Chelsea will conclude at the end of this month, but before departing he shares with us two games he holds dear - one is a popular choice, the other a perfectly understandable one.

Favourite game played:

Club football comes no bigger than the Champions League Final, and the 34-year-old has been fortunate enough to play in two, though they ended in very different ways.

A last-minute sub against Manchester United in Moscow in 2008, the Brazilian converted his spot-kick in the penalty shootout but would end up on the losing side, a stark contrast to two years earlier in Paris, when his late strike completed a Barcelona comeback against 10-man Arsenal.

Madcap goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had been sent off for the Gunners early on, but defender Sol Campbell had headed them into a first-half lead that they looked like holding on to. That was until the introduction of the sub right-back.

Almost immediately Barça equalised as Henrik Larsson played in Samuel Eto'o, and four minutes later it was the turn of the future Chelsea man to have a go at goal, and he takes up the story.

'It is different,' he smiles. 'Individually the Champions League was the most special game because I scored, if I had not scored being at the World Cup would be the best. I came on with 20 minutes to go, and in 10 minutes I scored.

'You never imagine things around the game, just to play well. Frank Rijkaard told me, "Try to go forward, be offensive, try to cross", because we were losing.

'Then at 1-1, you never imagine a right-back makes a diagonal run inside, but I am Brazilian. When I touched the ball to Larsson in this direction, normally the right back follows the pass outside, but I saw the space between the defenders, and of course it was a perfect pass from Larsson.'

Belletti carried on the run and smashed the ball between Manuel Almunia's legs to win the game for the Catalans.

Favourite game watched:

A year prior to Paris, the Champions League Final had taken place in Istanbul, and present was Belletti's future manager at Chelsea, Carlo Ancelotti.

His Milan side raced into a 3-0 first-half lead against Liverpool, courtesy of a goal from Paolo Maldini and two from Hernan Crespo, on loan from Chelsea.

What followed was unthinkable, as Liverpool scored three in six minutes through Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso, before goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek made an incredible save from Andriy Shevchenko (another future Chelsea man) and then saved three penalties as Liverpool became European champions.

'Liverpool against Milan. I was watching on TV at home, it was a final, and it just goes to prove that you never can give up,' Belletti says. 'Even if your opponent has some of the best players in the world you always have a chance to change everything.'

Ancelotti Plans For The Future With Ozil And Muller Bids

Chelsea are rumoured to be monitoring German international pair Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller as Carlo Ancelotti looks to bring youth to his ageing Stamford Bridge side. The Italian is a big fan of both Bundesliga stars and is hoping to plan for the future as he sees the backbone of his Premier League winning side reach the autumn of their careers.

Having already released Michael Ballack and Joe Cole the Blues are keen to bring in midfield additions but are only interested in those of tender years and they have already been heavily linked with a move for Werder Bremen talent Mesut Ozil but are now also said to be interested in Bayern Munich youngster Thomas Muller.

Roman Abramovich is said to be ready to make a massive cash injection in order to freshen things up at the club and a move for the pair would set the west London club back around £45m but its a price the Russian is willing to pay in order to keep his side challenging on all fronts even after the likes of Frank Lampard, John Terry and Ashley Cole hang up their boots.

Ozil, 21, and Muller, 20 may well be tempted by huge salary increases that would come with a move to the club and they may well feel that a move to the club could best help their dreams of significant continental silverware.

England Boss Capello Backs John Terry Despite Criticism

England boss Fabio Capello says he never contemplated dropping John Terry following the defender's public criticism of the World Cup campaign.

Capello stated on Monday that Terry made a "big mistake" in questioning his training methods and tactics.

But the Italian said on Tuesday: "John Terry is one of the most important players [for England]."

England must beat Slovenia in their final group match on Wednesday to reach the knockout stage of the tournament.

Capello admitted it was "possible that I made some mistakes" in England's first two matches of the tournament - disappointing draws against the United States and Algeria.

However, the 64-year-old insisted he had a good relationship with the squad - including Terry, whom he stripped of the England captaincy in February after allegations the Chelsea defender had an affair with an England team-mate's ex-girlfriend.

"Every time when I speak with the players they follow me," said Capello.

"The players are happy. They trained very well. I think it's normal to have pressure at the moment. We have a play-off to be in or out. We have to win."

Blues Linked With Move for Benfica Centre Back Luiz

Benfica centre back David Luiz is the man Carlo Ancelotti wants to rejuvenate his ageing central defence.

The Blues are said to have bid £10m for the 23-year-old Portuguese, although his club say he will not go for less than the £40m release clause in his contract.

Ancelotti is concerned that Chelsea are creaking at the back, with Ricardo Carvalho slowing at 32, John Terry now 29 and Alex just a year younger.

Clearly Portuguese side Benfica are having a laugh if they think they will get £40m for the decent, but not spectacular, defender David Luiz. We are after all talking about a Brazilian who is yet to be called up to the full international set up and therefore probably more fairly priced at the amount Carlo Ancelotti is willing to offer.

Chelsea do have a very real problem to counter and that is the oft discussed issue of their ageing first team squad. Its perhaps the defence that shows most strain in this regard and a new younger option to turn to when the likes of Terry and Carvalho hang up their boots is needed.

I believe that the Stamford Bridge boss is more likely to look for homegrown replacements and not just because of the new Premier League regulations but also because he realizes how key the English backbone has been to the club over recent years and is clearly hoping to replicate this in the future.

The club has already brought in the likes of Ross Turnbull and Daniel Sturridge in the past year so perhaps he may indeed opt for trying hard to integrate the likes of Chelsea youngsters Ryan Bertand and Sam Hutchinson over the course of the coming season?

Sevilla Join Race For Free Agent Michael Ballack

According to a report in El Correo, Primera Division outfit Sevilla are considering making a move for German international Michael Ballack in the summer transfer window. The experienced midfielder is a free agent after being released by Chelsea.

The Blues' decision to let go of Ballack has alerted several big clubs, as Manchester United, Inter, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburger SV are all believed to be keen to sign the influential midfielder. However, Sevilla have now joined the race for Ballack's signature.

The Nervionenses have been in the market for a new midfielder for a while now and have also secured the services of Tiberio Guarente. However, head coach Antonio Alvarez isn't done on the transfer market just yet and has now set his sights on Ballack.

The 33-year-old Ballack initially appeared to be on his way back to Germany, but the former Bayern Munich star could be tempted to move to Spain in order to play Champions League football with Sevilla.

Arsenal & Tottenham On Notice As Manchester United Deny Interest In Chelsea Midfielder Joe Cole

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are now the favourites to sign Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole after Manchester United denied interest in the England international.

Cole is a free agent after negotiations with the defending Premier League champions stalled, and the 28-year-old has been linked with a move to Old Trafford.

However, United sources report that United are not interested in signing Cole this summer, according to The Guardian.

Sir Alex Ferguson has mentioned his appreciation of Cole but with the Chelsea midfielder struggling through an injury plagued season and demanding a high salary, United are not looking to sign the Englishman.

It now appears that Arsenal and Spurs will be the most likely candidates to sign Cole as both north London clubs have had talks with his representatives.

Deco Doubtful For Portugal's Clash With Brazil

Portugal midfielder Deco faces a battle to be fit in time for his side's final Group G match with Brazil in Durban.

Deco missed the 7-0 win over North Korea on Monday with a hip problem but he has not given up hope of being ready to take on Brazil in their final Group G match on Friday, but remains non-committal about his fitness.

Deco said: ''It's so-so. I'll try to be better for the game but we'll see. ''I'm still having treatment and I hope to be available.

''I have nothing to prove against Brazil, I just want to play and help my team. What is important now is qualifying for the next phase.

''We want to play well against them, we had a good game against North Korea, controlled and game and scored seven goals. We're enjoying it now, the win was important.''

Deco's chances of playing Brazil seem slim regardless of his injury, with replacement Tiago stepping in and performing superbly in an excellent team performance.

Whether or not he plays, Deco acknowledges Portugal will need to be at the top of their game to stand a chance against the five-time World Cup winners.

''Brazil is a different game, we know they are one of the favourites to win the World Cup and we'll try to do our best in the game,'' he said.

Tiago admits a 6-2 friendly defeat by Brazil in 2008 will be on their minds when the sides meet again.

''In the last game we lost to them in a big defeat and now we have chance to beat them,'' Tiago said.

''It's not revenge; we are two great teams in the World Cup. Both teams want to go through and want to win the game, so it is not revenge, it is just a game.''

Chelsea Star John Terry Apologises To England Boss Fabio Capello For Public Outburst

John Terry has issued an apology to England manager Fabio Capello, following the Chelsea defender's call for a frank exchange of views following the Three Lions' draw with Algeria last week.

Terry had implied to reporters that some unpleasant things were likely to be said by players to the manager at a team meeting on Sunday evening.

He also named Joe Cole as a player who should come into the team to improve the attacking options.

As it turned out, the team meeting is believed to have run along conventional lines, with Capello speaking and the players listening.

Capello also branded Terry's outburst "a big mistake" in a television interview on Monday, and now Terry has apologized and given his manager his full backing.

It also appears that the backing Terry expected from certain of his team-mates did not materialize.

"I went into yesterday's press conference with the intention of being honest," Terry said, according to The Daily Mail.

"I was asked a question about Joe Cole and maybe I went too far. But it was never my intention to upset the manager or the players and if I did upset anyone, I apologise.

"I have told the manager he has my total support and I would like to stress that I don't believe I have been a disruptive influence in the camp.

"I would now like to put this episode behind me and concentrate on trying to win what is a massive game for England. All I was trying to do was to say how important it is to me to try to win the World Cup.

"I just hope people at least appreciate that I have taken the time to call you and have asked you to report what I have to say in response."

Chelsea Striker Nicolas Anelka Lands In London After France Ejection

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has landed in London from South Africa, according to L' Equipe.

The 31-year-old striker was kicked out of France's World Cup squad following a verbal attack on coach Raymond Domenech during half-time of the defeat by Mexico.

He left South Africa on Sunday evening, landing at London's Heathrow Airport early on Monday.

Anelka will now go on holiday before joining up with the rest of Chelsea's squad for their pre-season program.

France are on the verge of leaving the tournament at the group stages as they currently find themselves three points behind Uruguay and Mexico.

Recent reports suggest that Anelka is considering retiring from international football after being sent home, even though coach Domenech will be replaced by Laurent Blanc after the World Cup.

My Favourite Games: John Obi MIkel

Not a man renowned around the club for his nostalgia, John Mikel Obi selects two games from the past three months that stand out in his memory.

Favourite game played:

After already beating Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, thanks to a John Terry header, the away game that followed was a slightly more productive affair as the Blues romped home to a 2-1 victory.

A cleverly taken opener from Joe Cole, as he back-heeled over the line, was added to by Didier Drogba's strike deep in the second half as we completed the season's six-point total over the Reds.

The reason Mikel depicts this game as his favourite played is all down to the African's ideals of, if you're going to do something, you should do it right.

When we travelled to Old Trafford, the side knew exactly what they needed to achieve and how to achieve it, as the Mikel explains.

'The favourite game I have played in was Manchester United away this season when we won because of the scenario,' he says.

'We knew what we had to do, our plan was to go there and win and when you have a goal, you want to do something and you do it, that's always amazing.

'We knew we had to go there and win and we went there and did it, at their home ground, which just makes it more special.'

Favourite game watched:

Mikel's favourite game watched came on the European stage this year, when a tough encounter between Arsenal and Barcelona pitted what some would argue as the two best football-playing sides in the world against one another.

That depiction of the two sides may hold true for the Catalan club, but most would assume a football-playing side would win trophies, unlike Arsenal in recent years, but regardless of individual opinions, this was always going to be a great tie.

The first leg took place at the Emirates, when the north London outfit was forced into a two-goal comeback following strikes in either half from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Theo Walcott pulled one back for the hosts before a Cesc Fabregas penalty evened the scores.

So Arsenal travelled to the Nou Camp, where a 4-1 thumping ensued as Lionel Messi proved his capabilities and forced Arsene Wenger into hailing him as the world's best player.

Arsenal may have taken the lead through Nicolas Bendtner in the 18th minute, but Barcelona, and more to the point Messi, were too much for the travelling side to handle.

The 22-year-old Argentine levelled the scores after 21 minutes, before helping his side take the lead in the 37th. He would also add one more before half-time arrived.

Spent and without their influential captain Fabregas, Arsenal would concede one more three minutes from time. It was the final nail in the coffin as Messi single-handedly annihilated the opposition.

'The goals in that game were phenomenal,' says Mikel. 'Messi showed just how outstanding he is. It was a brilliant game for him.'