Chelsea star Ballack left in dark over axe

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

• More Tottenham and Chelsea news

The midfielder was left on the bench and only brought on in the 88th minute as his side were beaten 2-1 by in extra-time.

Germany captain Ballack has been one of Chelsea's star performers in recent weeks and played an important part in getting the team to the final.

Scroll down for more

Benched: Michael Ballack only joined the action after 88 minutes at Wembley

But he is not convinced Grant's new rotation policy is more effective than keeping a settled side.

Ballack said: "I am not happy that I did not play but I have to accept it like everybody else who did not start. It was not explained, it was on the team-sheet shortly before the game and that was it."

Didier Drogba made a big fuss of celebrating with Ballack after opening the scoring in the first half, indicating that he thought Grant was wrong to leave out the midfielder.

But Dimitar Berbatov and then Jonathan Woodgate made the striker's free-kick no more than a footnote in the history books.

Ballack said: "We have to keep going in the other competitions. We still have a strong team and good chances to win the Champions League. Okay, in the Premier League we are nine points behind Arsenal, but we still have hope and we have to remember that and concentrate. We have to start again.

"We didn't start very well yesterday and couldn't control the game. Tottenham looked sharper. We did too little to win a final. Now we have to think about why we didn't win and do better in the future."