Michael Ballack has no chance of playing in the FA Cup final for Chelsea while central defender Ricardo Carvalho will almost certainly miss the Wembley showpiece against Manchester United on May 19.
”Carvalho 1%, Ballack 0%,” manager Jose Mourinho told Chelsea’s website on Thursday.
Carvalho hurt his knee during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League on April 28 and was ruled out of the Champions League semifinal, second leg against Liverpool.
Germany playmaker Ballack has had an operation on his ankle.
The good news for Mourinho was that striker Didier Drogba and winger Arjen Robben should be fit to face United. Neither played in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with the champions-elect.
”Robben has a real chance and Drogba will be fit,” Mourinho said. — Reuters