Chelsea expect Ballack to stay

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is confident Germany midfielder Michael Ballack will commit his long-term future to the Premier League leaders.

Ballack's current contract, worth around 120,000 pounds (142,000 euros) a week, expires in June and talks are yet to start over a new deal.

But Chelsea have an option to extend the former Bayern Munich midfielder's stay by an another 12 months and Ballack has admitted he would be happy to end his career at Stamford Bridge.

Kenyon believes a deal will be agreed and he told The Sun: “Michael has played a great part for Chelsea and there is no reason for us not to exercise that option.”