Ballack, Cole released by Chelsea
Published:Wednesday | June 9, 2010 | 1:46 PM
Michael Ballack and Joe Cole were released by Chelsea today as the Premier League and FA Cup champions prepare for next season.
Both midfielders\' contracts expire at the end of the month and the players are now free agents, the club said on its website.
Ballack, Germany\'s national team captain, was ruled out of the World Cup after injuring his ankle in Chelsea\'s 1-nil win over Portsmouth in the FA Cup final.
He moved to Stamford Bridge four years ago after a glittering career with Bayern Munich.
Ballack, who will be 34 in September, won three German league and cup doubles with Bayern before taking up the Premier League challenge.
The midfielder, who took Germany to the final of Euro 2008, has been linked with a return to the Bundesliga.
Cole, who is with England at the World Cup in South Africa, has been at Chelsea for seven years since leaving West Ham.
He struggled to force his way into the Chelsea team this season after returning in September from an eight-month layoff with a knee injury.
The 28-year-old creative midfielder helped Chelsea win the Premier League in 2005 and 2006 under former coach Jose Mourinho, but his progress has since been hampered by injuries.