Ballack: "We´re Only Just Getting Started!"
MICHAEL BALLACK
By dixon9
May 15 2008
Michael Ballack has fired a warning to all our rivals, media and opposition fans that the new dawn Chelsea is only just the beginning in terms of playing style and winning trophies both domestically and in Europe. The German captain also feels that we are in the process of transition between keeping elements of Mourinho´s power play method and adding the new Dutch school philosophy.
"Our style of play is different to that of Manchester; our game has a tremendous energy. If our team could get some fine-tuning then things would look good for the next couple of years. As a team we're still in a development stage.”
"You have to understand that the club has only been playing at this high level in his at Europe for a few years. And as yet it hasn't developed the typical Chelsea style. You have to win titles, titles, titles. That's the only way to start a tradition. We have to work to win their favour.
“You do notice the envy, but after all it's the same in other clubs. The only difference is: Roman Abramovich was one of the first to invest his own private fortune into a football club. But look at Manchester United, Liverpool or Manchester City - they have the same structure of ownership. That's the reality in the strongest league in the world."
The German midfielder also gave his view on the recent on-pitch argument when facing Manchester United between himself and Drogba over who should take a free-kick
"That arose from a situation. The game against Manchester was tied at 1-1, time was running out and we had to win. He wanted the ball, and I wanted the ball because I felt I could score. A conflict like that is normal if you have players who are prepared to take on responsibility."
Ballack compared his former Bayern Munich side to Chelsea and pointed to the intense competition for a place in the starting line-up:
"It's different at Chelsea. We have six captains from national teams on our side: Terry for England, Drogba for the Ivory Coast, Shevchenko for the Ukraine, Cech for the Czech Republic, Pizarro for Peru and me for Germany, as well as quite a few top international players. It goes without saying that everyone is forced to show some restraint so as not to jeopardise our success. But you have to face the challenge. You have to make people sit up and take notice of you otherwise you just go under in a team like this; you're just devoured by the machine. And so I've become more ruthless.
"I wanted to play with all these stars – come hell or high water. Just to be able to prove that I could meet the challenge was well worth the battle for me. And now I can say: whatever happens, I've accomplished something. At the same time, I was never worried that I wouldn't succeed. During my time out due to injury, all I kept thinking was about getting better. And there were quite a few days when it was difficult not to give up hope.
“I've learned a lot in these two years with Chelsea. Tougher on myself? I probably have been, but mainly I've become tougher on the other players. In training, for example, when you feel your position on the team is in danger then you have to be fully focused. And if needs be, you send a clear signal saying: I'm not going to budge one inch.
Just missing out on the league was expected to some degree by the players but Ballack pointed out the determination felt by the squad to bring back the European Cup to London.
"Unfortunately, that was to be expected, and we aren't too disappointed but you go into the Champions League season every year and you say to yourself: this year is our year."
“I desperately want to win this trophy. I don't want to look back on my career at some point and say, what a pity, I came close a few times, but it was never good enough."
Here’s to that Michael!