BEIJING, April 18 -- German champions Bayern Munich have become reliant on goals from German international Michael Ballack but must now think about looking for another source of inspiration with the player poised to sign for English giants Chelsea.

    Ballack scored the crucial opening goal in Bayern's 2-0 win over Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday to help the club edge towards another title and manager Felix Magath must wonder how the club will cope with his loss.

    The 29-year-old Ballack snubbed a four-year contract at Bayern in November and will leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.

    Bayern fans have jeered Ballack over the past few weeks but they were celebrating his 13th goal of the season after his 69th minute shot crashed off the post and rebounded off the goalkeeper back into the net.

    "I am getting used to the idea that Michael Ballack will not be playing with us next season," Magath admitted.

    "He deserves to have a fair send-off and it is his right to say he wants to play somewhere else."

    It was yet another crucial goal from Ballack and Bayern will certainly miss his predatory instincts when he leaves.

    Another headache for Magath is the fact that Ballack is leaving on a free transfer so they will not get a massive fee to spend on his replacement.

    Dutch international Mark van Bommel of Barcelona has emerged as the number one target but he will not be cheap.

    "At the moment I can not see any players in Germany that come into the equation," confessed Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness.

    "But Bayern will go on after Michael Ballack. Big players have left before and we have got over it."

    While Bayern feel short-changed, Chelsea, bankrolled by billionaire Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich, is reportedly prepared to make Ballack the world's highest-paid player with a weekly salary of 121,000 pounds (177,600 euros, US$210,900).

    "I want to stress that it is, and never has been, about money," Ballack said.

    "I am not 23 or 24, have a great contract at Bayern and my family and I are comfortable in Munich. I just want a new challenge."

    Chelsea look to be that new challenge but their Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho has demanded Ballack make a swift decision after holding talks with the player.

    "He has to have made a decision before the World Cup," Mourinho said in an interview with Bild am Sonntag.

    "For me Ballack is one of the best players in the world," enthused Mourinho. "He has everything and his intelligence on the pitch impresses me. I also like him as a person."

    Ballack is said to be stalling as he seeks reassurances over a first team spot in Chelsea's star-studded side but will make a decision before the World Cup begins on June 9.

    "I will make a decision before the World Cup," explained Ballack. "But my personal situation is not important. What is important is winning the league and cup double."