Michael Ballack confirmed his desire yesterday to stay at Chelsea until the end of his career. The Germany captain has one-year remaining on the contract that he signed after his free transfer from Bayern Munich two years ago, which includes the option of a further year, but Chelsea are ready to offer him a new three-year contract, as The Times revealed in April.

Ballack was one of Chelsea’s best players when he returned last December from nine months out because of an ankle injury and the club are prepared to reward him. The 31-year-old has maintained his form for Germany in the European Championship and has been influential in their run to the semi-finals, where they meet Turkey in Basle on Wednesday.

“I can imagine ending my career with Chelsea,” Ballack said. “I will be 32 in September and I still want to play two or three more years at this level. What comes next remains to be seen.” Ballack wants to shed his reputation as a nearly man, having lost Champions League finals with Chelsea last season and with Bayer Leverkusen in 2002, against Real Madrid. Ballack also missed Germany’s 2002 World Cup final defeat by Brazil because of suspension.

“I won’t let things like that drive me crazy, but I will take it as it comes,” Ballack said. “I am always highly motivated, but you can never force anything. We missed a penalty in the Champions League final because John Terry slipped. What can you do about it? That is just bad luck.”