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Chelsea FC vs Tottenham Hotspur FC Premiership 20/09/09 Photo Nicky Hayes Fotosports International Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack.

Steve McClaren is ready to join the bidding for Michael Ballack as the chase hots up for the freed Chelsea midfielder.
Wolfsburg, Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen have all expressed interest and Real Madrid are poised in the wings, as revealed by Sportsmail.
But with Jose Mourinho prioritising his transfer targets, and initially trying to prise Steven Gerrard away from Anfield, Ballack, 33, may explore the offers from the Bundesliga clubs first rather than wait.

Battle-weary: Michael Ballack has split fan opinion during his four years at Chelsea
Germany coach Joachim Loew confirmed that Ballack had received ‘several interesting approaches’.
The injured Germany skipper, on holiday in Miami, is still idolised at Leverkusen in particular and would be offered the chance to move into management after hanging up his boots while Wolfsburg’s general manager Dieter Hoeness confirmed he would discuss Ballack with McClaren. (Daily Mail)

I have to say I was a little surprised when Chelsea decided to not try harder to keep the German international at the club. Yes he is getting on a bit but he had a pretty decent season last term, maybe one of his best since he arrived at Stamford Bridge. The 33 year old took part in 45 matches last term so was one of Ancelotti’s regulars but yet no real effort was made to keep him.

Maybe Ballack made it clear he wanted to leave but either way one can understand why Steve McClaren is trying to secure the vastly experienced players signature. Wolfsburg are struggling to keep hold of their big names after a poor follow up season to their surprise title winning term.

Having helped FC Twente to the Eredivisie championship the former England boss is hoping he can further prove his managerial abilities at the Bundesliga club. If he can sign the former Bayern Munich man and then build his midfield around the talented veteran then he will go a long way to persuading the likes of Edin Dzeko that staying at the club could well be an intelligent decision.