Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has poured cold water on speculation of a bid for Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack.

"The reports have surprised me," said Schuster, "but, then again, you say one thing and soon it becomes something else.

"I never talked about a bid for Ballack, I was talking about a type of player that we need. There's still no interest in Ballack. He has a contract with Chelsea."