Chelsea legend Michael Ballack explains why he snubbed Manchester United for the Blues

Michael Ballack has revealed why he had no issue with picking a move to Chelsea over joining Manchester United.

Chelsea had won back-to-back titles under Jose Mourinho just before Ballack moved to Stamford Bridge, and the midfielder admits this had a big impact on his decision to join.

The German was out of contract at Bayern and attracting interest from around Europe, so Mourinho moved quickly to sign him up.

“One of the first were Man United to show interest, but they also hasn’t had the best year,” recalled Ballack.

“I remember 2006 they went out in the group stage [of the Champions League].

“Winning the league is one thing but for me it was always the dream to win the Champions League. And what team could I really attack this trophy with? It was not easy to decide because there are so many good clubs but Man United in those days were not as good as before, like Bayern Munich – 2000, 2001 and even 1999 they had their best years.

“And they went out in the first round [the previous year], while Chelsea was winning the league twice with Jose Mourinho. They invested in a lot of players and had an amazing squad.

“For me, when Chelsea came I had to weigh these things. Man United are an amazing club with huge history but Chelsea also had huge ambitions.

“I chose Chelsea and the package was really good. I felt really comfortable with it, and London for me was also a point, an argument to join a great city.

“When you’re 29 and you’ve already got family, it’s important that they feel comfortable. I talked to my family and we made the decision to go to London.

“I gave the sign quite early to my agent that I would prefer Chelsea from the beginning. If we could agree on the numbers and the circumstances, then that would be my preference.”

A Champions League medal would elude Ballack but he did win two FA Cups, the League Cup and the Community Shield with Chelsea in addition to the 2009/10 title.

Ancelotti wanted to keep Ballack at the club but injury in the 2010 FA Cup final against Portsmouth killed any hope of a new deal so he returned to Bayer Leverkusen for two more years before retiring in 2012.