No age concern for Ballack

9:36am Saturday 26th July 2008

After linking up with Chelsea for the first time since Luiz Felipe Scolari's appointment, Michael Ballack hit back at Sir Alex Ferguson's comments downplaying the Blues' title credentials.

The Manchester United boss attempted to kickstart an early war of words with Scolari this week after suggesting Chelsea's ageing squad are not a serious threat to the two-time Premier League champions this season.

"Our team can still improve," said Ballack. "If you are 30 or 31 you are not old. Last year Maka (Claude Makelele) was 34 and he played very well. I have nothing to prove, this type of thing happens over the summer, people talking about each other."

Ballack was given an extended break following Euro 2008 and joined up with Scolari's Chelsea for the first time in Macau ahead of today's friendly with Chinese Super League outfit Chengdu Blades.

Scolari has confirmed Ballack will not take part in the game, or Tuesday's meeting with a Malaysian Select XI in Kuala Lumpur, but he is expected to feature in the Railway Cup in Moscow at the start of August.

Ballack's appearance at the Macau Stsadium also allowed the former Bayern Munich midfielder to comment on Frank Lampard's ongoing transfer saga, with a move to Inter Milan still rumoured to be a possibility.

"It would be fantastic if we could stay at Chelsea," said Ballack. "He is a big player for the club and has done a lot for the club, but it is up to him. He knows we are all behind him."

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