Ballack and Shevchenko content at Chelsea

By Vicki Hodges and agencies

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Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko have reaffirmed their commitment to Chelsea and said they see their long-term futures at Stamford Bridge.

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The Germany and Ukraine internationals have struggled to make an impact in west London following their joint-arrival in the summer of 2006.

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Ballack, 31, has suffered with injury while Shevchenko has failed to repeat his goalscoring exploits which placed a £30 million valuation on the strikers' shoulders when he joined from AC Milan.

Shevchenko has long been linked with a return to Italy, while Ballack's stop-start career with the FA Cup holders has thrown his future into doubt.

The big-name duo, however, have said they are not seeking a move away from the club and are content with their lives in England.

Ballack, who has only two years left to run on his contract, said: "At the moment I am completely happy here.

"My family and I have adjusted to life in England, I have a contract, and no desire to switch clubs.

"I am playing for a great team and hope to achieve great things.

"What comes when my contract expires, we'll just have to see. Whether I stay another year, go somewhere else of hang up my boots - you never know in football."

Shevchenko, meanwhile, has said he will not go back to Milan despite enjoying a highly successful seven-year spell at the San Siro where he won the Serie A title and Champions League.

"I am delighted with the mark I left behind at Milan and gave the best I had in seven glorious seasons," he said.

The 31-year-old has said he wants to leave that success in the past and that in 18-year-old Brazilian Alexandre Pato, Milan have a future star in the making.

"My life is at Chelsea now, I have served my time with Milan. I am at a big club and the team is doing well. Life is not only about the past.

"I love Milan and I love Italy, and I have always said that. There is always somebody to take your place and the future is Pato.

"He understands the game and finds gaps. I never liked standing still, and I can see that he doesn't like it either. At only 18, he is already so good."

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