Ballack cool on new Chelsea deal

Chelsea midfield man Michael Ballack insists there is no rush to sign a new contract - despite only having one year remaining on his current deal.

The 31-year-old is on a break after playing in Germany's Euro 2008 final defeat against Spain in Vienna.

Ballack told Bild newspaper: "I have a contract until 2009 and there is an option to extend it, so there is no need to rush."

Ballack added: "We will just wait and see what happens."

As well losing in the final of Euro 2008, Ballack was in the Chelsea side that lost to Manchester United in the Champions League final and narrowly missed out in the race for the Premier League.

But he expects to be fighting for silverware this season and said: "Even without new signings, Chelsea already had an exceptional squad which is capable of winning something always.

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"That obviously means we can win the Champions League next season. That is the reason why I moved to Chelsea. I am playing in the best league in the world with one of the strongest teams."

Ballack added that despite his "nearly man" tag becoming even more prominent this summer, he feels lucky to have won 10 titles in Germany and England.

"I think that I have been successful," he said. "Some people win just one title and spend their lives revelling in that while others never win anything.

"Of course I am missing a big international title, but who can show off a better record than me anyway?"

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