Ballack flourishing at Grant's Chelsea
Nick Bidwell
Nick Bidwell
'You have the feeling you've become a forgotten man and you have to start again from scratch after your return from a long injury,' begins Ballack. 'There is a need to prove yourself all over again, but all the frustration is history now and I can look forward with confidence.
'I knew I would not be certain of a place in the side when I returned from injury. When you are at a big club like Chelsea and the competition for places is always so hot, the only answer is to deliver consistently and I'm confident I am up to the task. I'm pleased Avram Grant is putting his faith in me, but it's not written in stone that it will be always so. He has so many good options in midfield that no one can be sure of selection.'
'Naturally I'm very pleased with the way my return to the first team has gone. It makes all the difference in the world that I stepped into a side in an excellent run of form.
'From day one, it felt so good to be back and I've been fortunate to score a few important goals, which is a massive bonus. Even though I'm not sure about my match fitness percentage-wise, I'm feeling stronger physically and mentally every day. I think the bad days are behind me now.'
...'Being made Chelsea captain was a real honour for me,' he continues. 'I must admit I didn't see it coming because the captain's armband isn't often given to a foreign player. It's a great boost to my confidence, recognition of my place at the club and my performances.
'Of course, I'm not a warrior like John Terry and he will take the armband back as soon as he is fit again, but I love being the captain. I can only do this job by staying true to my personality. I like to lead by example and at Bayern and with Germany and it's proved successful.
'When you've been out injured for some considerable time, you look for things to help you get back into the groove and the coach's decision to make me captain has undoubtedly worked in that sense.'
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