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Chicago Fire head coach: We are not interested in bringing in Bayer Leverkusen's Michael Ballack
The 45-year-old coach says that the Fire's midfield doesn't need improvement and ruled out a move for Michael Ballack, but he has left the door open for Didier Drogba.
Feb 1, 2012 8:21:00 PM
By Alex Labidou
Getty Images
Despite reports out of Germany linking Bayer Leverkusen's Michael Ballack to a move to the Chicago Fire, the MLS club's head coach has denied interest in signing the midfielder.
Speaking to Goal.com last week, Frank Klopas said the Fire are already set in their midfield after signing Rafael Robayo and re-signing Pavel Pardo in January. If Chicago was going to bring in a Designated Player, the boss would like it to be Chelsea forward Didier Drogba.
"With Ballack, I mean we signed a guy Rafael Robayo who is a two-way player like him and we have [Pavel] Pardo coming back," Klopas told Goal.com.
"With those players, you always have to see where they are, what stage of their career are they in. But we made some signings in the middle and I think that's not an area where we are looking at [to improve]."
Klopas admitted that having a younger player like Robayo to go alongside the 35-year-old Pardo allows the team to have some versatility in the midfield.
"Our midfielder Robayo from Millionaros, not trying to compare him to a Ballack, but at 27 years old, you're bringing him at an age where he's at his prime," Klopas said.
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Ballack's agent, Michael Becker, tells Goal.com that his client is interested in a move to Major League Soccer. But he has not received an offer and wouldn't comment on whether or not teams have expressed interest. He's also been linked to New York and LA.
Klopas may not want Ballack but that doesn't mean he is ruling out a move for a DP, saying, "If there's a DP that's out there that can fit in with our team, we're always open to it." The Fire have talked about bringing in Drogba, but Klopas thinks it's a longshot.
"Drogba? Of course, yes, [the Fire would be interested]," he stated. "There's talks but would he really come and what would it take?"
Quaker Oats is the new jersey sponsor of the Chicago Fire
Speaking to Goal.com last week, Frank Klopas said the Fire are already set in their midfield after signing Rafael Robayo and re-signing Pavel Pardo in January. If Chicago was going to bring in a Designated Player, the boss would like it to be Chelsea forward Didier Drogba.
| Bet: | Returns: | Chicago Fire £20.00 | Draw £34.00 | FC Dallas £36.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Chicago Fire £18.00 | Draw £33.00 | FC Dallas £42.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Chicago Fire £18.33 | Draw £32.00 | FC Dallas £40.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Chicago Fire £20.50 | Draw £32.50 | FC Dallas £37.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Chicago Fire £21.20 | Draw £33.00 | FC Dallas £33.00 |
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"With Ballack, I mean we signed a guy Rafael Robayo who is a two-way player like him and we have [Pavel] Pardo coming back," Klopas told Goal.com.
"With those players, you always have to see where they are, what stage of their career are they in. But we made some signings in the middle and I think that's not an area where we are looking at [to improve]."
Klopas admitted that having a younger player like Robayo to go alongside the 35-year-old Pardo allows the team to have some versatility in the midfield.
"Our midfielder Robayo from Millionaros, not trying to compare him to a Ballack, but at 27 years old, you're bringing him at an age where he's at his prime," Klopas said.
Follow ALEX LABIDOU on
Ballack's agent, Michael Becker, tells Goal.com that his client is interested in a move to Major League Soccer. But he has not received an offer and wouldn't comment on whether or not teams have expressed interest. He's also been linked to New York and LA.
Klopas may not want Ballack but that doesn't mean he is ruling out a move for a DP, saying, "If there's a DP that's out there that can fit in with our team, we're always open to it." The Fire have talked about bringing in Drogba, but Klopas thinks it's a longshot.
"Drogba? Of course, yes, [the Fire would be interested]," he stated. "There's talks but would he really come and what would it take?"
Quaker Oats is the new jersey sponsor of the Chicago Fire
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