Roman's ruthless regime: But as Michael Ballack reveals, Chelsea's high turnover in managers was down to the egos of the players as much as the owner's ambitions
The last we saw of Michael Ballack was a lame man limping off the Wembley pitch after a dreadful challenge in the 2010 FA Cup final against Portsmouth.
He had been at the heart of the history-making, Double-winning Chelsea team. And then he was gone. A stamp on the ankle with a followthrough on the knee, courtesy of Kevin Prince Boateng, left Ballack a crumpled heap on the Wembley turf.
Even in a game characterised by instinctive cheating, Ballack's scream as the challenge came in told the story. When he shuffled off the pitch that day, few imagined he was going for good.
Setting the record straight: Michael Ballack is in a relaxed mood ahead of his return to Stamford Bridge with Bayer Leverkusen
Setting the record straight: Michael Ballack is in a relaxed mood ahead of his return to Stamford Bridge with Bayer Leverkusen
'I never had the chance to say goodbye officially, because after that last game we were still talking about a new contract and I thought we would come together,' says Ballack ruefully.
But everything changed that day. Before that challenge, Ballack was captain of Germany, with 98 caps, and awaiting the World Cup finals.
After it and three months out of the game, he missed the World Cup and was told he would never play for his country again.
Before the challenge, he was intrinsic to Chelsea's midfield. After it, he would be disposed of courtesy of a terse midsummer Press release.
Yet on Tuesday week, in the Champions League, a reunion is imminent. Ballack is back at Bayer Leverkusen, the club where he first came to international prominence more than 10 years ago, and next week they will take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Ballack will allow himself a moment of indulgence. 'It will be good moment for me to have a new and maybe last contact with those fans,' he says. [...]
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Anm.: Man vergleiche unten mal die Kommentare englischer Fans mit denen Deutscher!
