Great article on Ballack

[Backbiter]

In the Guardian in a feature on 'nearly men', because of the agonies he endured with Leverkusen, with Germany and of course with us:

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/mar/14/joy-of-six-sport-nearly-men-women

And the photo it describes and links to is stunning. No need to point out what's just happened:

[SydneyChelsea]

Fantastic write-up. Was one of my favourite players before joining Chelsea, his first season or so here he was very average but in the drama of 2008 he was one of those who stood up to be counted.

 

I condemned him at the time for his ludicrous reaction towards Ovrebo but when you put it in context you can almost understand it from his perspective.

[Jonty]

My Favourite player and I was so excited when he joined after seeing him virtually single-handedly drag Germany to the WC final in 2002. The fact he didn't get a CL medal (despite the majority of that team getting one in 2012) is my main gripe with Ovrebo.

[jack_super_class]

My Favourite player and I was so excited when he joined after seeing him virtually single-handedly drag Germany to the WC final in 2002. The fact he didn't get a CL medal (despite the majority of that team getting one in 2012) is my main gripe with Ovrebo.

 

Agreed Ballack deserved a CL. I loved Ballack felt he was better though when Lampard wasn't in the team.

[Scott Harris]

One of the most unfortunate players to ever play in the Champions league. A player of his ability not winning a Champions League medal is sad, especially when you see some incredibly average players win it themselves, Jonathan Greening for Manchester United comes to mind.

[Boyne]

 A great player. Read the game well. His positional play was excellent. Remember him going crazy - and rightly so - when Overbo turned down the 4th (?) penalty appeal. Never seen him so angry.

[dkw]

The very epitome of not knowing what you had until it's gone. Used to get all kinds of crap on here, too slow, too old etc. Rarely got the praise he deserved for the superb job he did. Was allowed to leave one season too early in my opinion, we were desperate for his type of player the season after.

[Barn]

A great player in his prime but I thought he offered little to us when he was here (a few excellent games aside), I agree he was much better when Lamps wasn't playing but would never have picked Ballack ahead of Lampard.

Another one of the games greats to not finish up with one of the medals they deserved.

[Veeria]

I actually always liked ballack, when you think of other big names that came here towards the latter stages of their careers he did pretty well (Deco). He's great when he's on sky as well, very knowledgable and I love it when he corrects the other pundits guessing about German teams.

It is a shame for ballack not getting the medals his talent deserved but it makes me even more grateful for Munich for not having to add the likes of Terry, Lampard, Cole, Drogba, Cech, Ivan to the list of great players not to win the CL

[Stim]

At the risk of losing my credibility and whatnot he is a huge reason I support Chelsea. Wasn't in to football at all but I watched the world cup and Ballack quickly became my favourite player. Read he signed for Chelsea so thought I'd watch them (didn't know at all what was going on at the time so it sounds a bit JCL/Gloryhuntery whatever but it never factored into it)  and then it became an obsession that is a big part of my life now.

[Celery1989]

I have a somewhat split opinion on Ballack.

 

Overall, I felt that he was a good servant for the club and did a solid job in the time he was here. He was very efficient in possession, was able to pick out killer passes from time to time and was very good tactically as well. He put in some big performances for us, such as United at home when we won 2-1 thanks to his 2 goals, and he also scored some sublime free-kicks for us. He seemed like a natural born leader and therefore added a lot of intangible qualities to the dressing room.

 

However I can’t help but feel that we never saw the same Michael Ballack that carried the German national team at times and who was Bayern Munich’s talisman for many years. He definitely played a subordinate role to Frank Lampard, and I commend him for doing so as this was best for the team, allowing Frank to flourish as a goalscoring midfielder and become the Legend that he is today. But at the same time, I think Ballack could have contributed more himself in terms of goals and assists. As an example, Ballack came to Chelsea with a reputation for being able to score from distance, but I don’t think I can recall a single screamer from him in his time here.

 

Nevertheless, as I said, Ballack played an important role in a very successful team and was definitely missed in the seasons after he departed.

[Backbiter]

I have a somewhat split opinion on Ballack.

 

Overall, I felt that he was a good servant for the club and did a solid job in the time he was here. He was very efficient in possession, was able to pick out killer passes from time to time and was very good tactically as well. He put in some big performances for us, such as United at home when we won 2-1 thanks to his 2 goals, and he also scored some sublime free-kicks for us. He seemed like a natural born leader and therefore added a lot of intangible qualities to the dressing room.

 

However I can’t help but feel that we never saw the same Michael Ballack that carried the German national team at times and who was Bayern Munich’s talisman for many years. He definitely played a subordinate role to Frank Lampard, and I commend him for doing so as this was best for the team, allowing Frank to flourish as a goalscoring midfielder and become the Legend that he is today. But at the same time, I think Ballack could have contributed more himself in terms of goals and assists. As an example, Ballack came to Chelsea with a reputation for being able to score from distance, but I don’t think I can recall a single screamer from him in his time here.

 

Nevertheless, as I said, Ballack played an important role in a very successful team and was definitely missed in the seasons after he departed.

This is true. He wasn't the same player who carried Germany because we didn't need him to be. Our team was full of great players like JT, Lamps, Drogs and Essien who didn't need carrying. What I admired about him was his professionalism and willingness to graft. Yes, he didn't score enough goals, but he did show leadership when it was needed, and we certainly missed him when he was gone.

[paraphil]

He was the dog's ballacks in my opinion. Left a season too early.

[Coxy15]

the thing i loved about Ballack was that anytime he was fouled he would get up and stare down the player that fouled him, as if to say "you cant do that to me!"

Just stood up tall, puffed out his chest and showed them he was the boss. pure arrogance on a football pitch and i loved it. great player, and not a bad pundit when he's on sky for the champs league games. and yet another ex-player who clearly loves the club. one of my all time favourite players even before he joined chelsea

[dkw]

Took a hell of a penalty too.

[big blue]

absolutely love ballack, he didnt grab the headlines here because he played a more disciplined role here compared to his free role for bayern and germany.