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Michael Ballack is confident Chelsea will win their first Premier League title since 2006 next season even if they don't buy any more players in the summer.
In a clear message to captain John Terry, whose future is set to be decided this week amid claims he is unhappy about the lack of quality signings made in the close season, Ballack sees Chelsea's settled squad as an advantage.
So far the Blues have only acquired fringe players in Ross Turnbull and Daniel Sturridge, while Yuri Zhirkov has joined for £18million.
Chelsea are confident they will sign at least one 'marquee' footballer before the end of the transfer window, yet midfielder Ballack feels the team are already good enough - as long as they stick together.
Last season the club won the FA Cup and were unfortunate to be knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals by Barcelona. They may have finished seven points behind champions Manchester United and also below Liverpool, but the squad were disrupted by manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's problems and he was sacked in February.
Ballack, who signed a new one-year contract in the summer, sees only cause for optimism under new manager Carlo Ancelotti and said: "It is our target every year to win the League and we are confident about winning the title. I think we had a good season last year but United have played at a really high level the last few years.
"They made it really difficult for us to win the League in 2007 and 2008 but we were really close behind and last season we also finished behind Liverpool, who had a strong season.
"There are a few moments which decide every championship but we are confident it will be different next time. We have a very experienced squad.
"We haven't added a lot of new players so we don't need much time to get into our rhythm."
United are also set to be weaker having sold Cristiano Ronaldo for a world record fee of £80m to Real Madrid.
Ballack certainly thinks so, although expects them to be busy in the transfer market in the next few weeks to try and fill the void. He added: "They got a lot of money for him so I'm sure they will buy. I'm sure they will have a strong team next season."
Ballack was speaking at an event in Wentworth on Saturday that raised around £265,000 for the club's charity partner for the season, Right to Play, which was also attended by Terry.
While it was made clear no one would be answering questions on Manchester City's interest in the club captain, Terry was clearly not distracted. The 28-year-old then left to have talks with owner Roman Abramovich but Chelsea sources insist the defender didn't ask for permission to talk to City. More discussions are due to be held today.
All parties want the situation resolved before Chelsea leave for their pre-season tour to the US on Thursday and the club look set to offer him a £20,000-a-week pay-rise, which would see him earn a £150,000 a week. Terry is still tempted by the £200,000 a week plus bonuses City are offering.
* Right to Play is an athlete-based international humanitarian organisation that emphasises sports to aid the development of children and youth in underprivileged areas of the world. For more information go to www.righttoplay.org.uk
Reader views (6)
please all readers and major supporters of our beloved chelsea ,the most painful thing to do is to keep an unhappy man as a leader in a team and each time he has a flash back of the other offer and proberbly we are loosing in a game its always tough for him to fight back,
please let TERRY come out boldly as our capt and say l want to go or l wat to stay instead of showing us that unhappy face in the US.
I KNOW THERE MIGHT BE GREAT FEAR IN THE CAMP BUT I AM A GRASSROOT MAN TO THE COR AND TERRY HAS BEEN WITH US FROM THE GRASSROOT.
PLEASE I SUGGEST THAT MICHEAL BALLACK SHOULD BE TRIED AT THAT CENTRE HALF BECAAUSE HE HAS ALL IT TAKES
ARIALLY ,HIEGHT,STRENGHT,BALL CONTROL,VISIONARY PASSES.ALL L KNOW IS THAT HE MIGHT WANT TO BE CARRIED AWAY AT TIME DUE TO A NEW ROLE BUT I AM SAYING PROPHETICALLY THAT WE WILL BE GREATER WITH HIM LET US BUY TAYLOR TO SUPPORT HIM FROM NEWCASTLE AND ASHLEY YOUNG FROM THE RIGHT
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
- Timothy, northampton, 17/07/2009 11:12
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JT has totally misjudged the fans frustration caused by him building a "wall of silence" on the situation during the past couple of weeks or so. Either way his special relationship with Chelsea supporters is broken.
If he stays, what happens next year if he's not happy with his unilaterally perceived view of the Club's lack of progress ? Too much power corrupts. Hail, Carletto !
- Charlie, Nr. Crackpot, North Yorkshire, 17/07/2009 10:12
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When you mention Gerrard, you remember Liverpool, when you mention Maldini, you remember AC Milan, when you mention Terry you think of Chelsea....Terry this is an opportuinity to become a Legend for posterity sake.Don't blow it for money.Stick with Chelsea.
- Alfy, Abakaliki,Nigeria, 17/07/2009 10:12
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All that Badge kissing, what does it mean. Tell us what is really going on John.
If you cut my wrists I would bleed Blue, what shade of Blue is that then John.
Shame on you.
- Steve M, London, 17/07/2009 10:12
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If John Terry is worried about new sigings its him that is underperforming and needs replacing with somone with some speed he shouldent go throwing stones in a glass house is what i say.
- Buttcheek, london england, 17/07/2009 10:12
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he might be right
- Charles, portharcourt nigeria, 17/07/2009 10:12
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