Ballack wants to end career at Chelsea

Germany captain Michael Ballack has said he wants to finish his career at Premier League giants Chelsea as he prepares to make his return for them on Saturday following last month’s foot operation.

Ballack, 32, had surgery on both feet after last month’s World Cup qualifier wins over Russia and Wales and is expected to make his return at West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.

“I am really enjoying my time in London, I am 32 now and I can really imagine finishing my career with Chelsea,” Ballack told German sports agency SID.

The Germany skipper is under contract in London until June 2009 and is in discussion for a two-year extension which would keep him at Chelsea until beyond the next World Cup, having joined from Bayern Munich in 2006.

The recent operation has kept Ballack out of the Germany squad selected for Wednesday’s friendly against England at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.

Ballack and national coach Joachim Loew had a very public spat last month when the captain accused Loew of not showing his senior players enough loyalty after he dropped veteran Torsten Frings, but Ballack later apologised.

“I agreed with Joachim Loew that my participation in the international match was still too early and I am not yet over my operation,” said Ballack.

“And it is important to be 100 percent fit for such a prestigious game.”

Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has said he is keen to ease Ballack back into domestic football.

“Scolari has already suggested that he doesn’t want to rush me back,” said Ballack.

“I was only back in full training on Tuesday and not yet quite up to speed.

“I think I will be on the reserves bench this weekend.”

Ballack has scored 39 goals for Germany in 89 internationals since making his debut in 1999 and says his target is to captain his country to World Cup success at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.