Michael Ballack wants his Chelsea future clarified before the World Cup.

Ballack, 33, will become a free agent this summer and has been linked with Panathinaikos and Schalke.

He said: "(Roman) Abramovich has decided to only hold contract discussions once the season is over. I don't want to pass judgment on that, and I have to accept it. But it is becoming rather tight in terms of time."