Interview: Ballack happy to change to succeed

Interview: Ballack happy to change to succeed

Michael Ballack is determined to prove why he shunned the good life at Bayern Munich for the challenge of English football.

The Germany captain was vilified during his first season at Chelsea when he struggled to adapt to the pace and strength of the Premier League.

Ballack was just beginning to find his best form when an ankle injury robbed him of a place in the FA Cup final last season and left him sidelined for eight months.

Now he is hoping to put all that heartache behind by playing against Tottenham in the Carling Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

Ballack declared: "I had some ups and downs and a long injury as well. After the injury I had to start again.

"Eight months is a long time. I want to show in the next weeks and months why Chelsea bought me. It is not easy if you change country.

"It is not an excuse. I am happy with my play. In the first year, Chelsea had a different style of playing.

"I came from Munich and in Munich I was the main player. Here we have a lot of big players so my style and the way of playing changed a little bit.

"Chelsea won the title twice and you have to adapt and change. Every player needs time. Now I am here and everybody gives the ball to me.

"Everybody wants to play well and you want to prove yourself.

"I got a lot of criticism especially in the first months but I know what I can do.

"I know I am a good player. You don't become a bad player overnight. It is all about the team and how to learn playing with Chelsea.

"The first year was getting better for me. I had some good games but then I got injured and had to start again.

"But I am happy now. I see also that it is getting more difficult because we have a lot of good players. But I was very focused and I could deal with the criticism."

Ballack never had any fears that he would not return from the ankle problem that put him out of action for eight months but knew the longer it went on the more frustrated he became.

He added: "I know some players who were injured for over a year and may have had that mind set but mine was too short.

"It was frustrating for me and difficult not to make big steps forward after six months. But I never thought I would not come back."

Coach Avram Grant is full of praise for the German midfielder and accepts that, after his injury, they need to keep him fresh.

He said: "Michael Ballack was injured a long time. It was not easy. We need to keep him fresh all the time. We don't play him a few games in a row as he is dangerous.

"He is a very intelligent player with a good commitment to the game. It is his life. He has a lot of qualities and that is the main thing that is important. As long as Michael Ballack is not lazy it is good for the team."

Source:
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/chelsea/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/02/23/SOCCER_Chelsea_2nd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=chelsea&DIV=prem&TEAM=CHELSEA&RH=Chelsea&PREV_SEASON=
cf. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_3189339,00.html