Scolari wants midfielder deal

Luiz Felipe Scolari has given his backing to Michael Ballack's prospects of getting a bumper new Chelsea contract.

The Blues boss wants to keep the German beyond the end of the current campaign when his current Stamford Bridge contract expires - meaning he will be free to talk to clubs outside England in six weeks' time.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is optimistic a deal can be sorted out and the 32-year-old is unlikely to command a similar package to the one he is currently on anywhere else in Europe.

Chelsea have an option to offer Ballack an additional 12-month deal to keep him in west London and Scolari hopes Ballack takes up the offer.

He said: "Ballack is a typical German player, direct, and I like [that]. He is also still young."