AFTER being paraded around the Beverly Hills Hotel with William Gallas’s No 13 squad number yesterday, Michael Ballack cast himself in the role of peacemaker as he sought to reassure Frank Lampard that there is no reason for the England midfield player to get shirty with Chelsea’s high-profile German recruit.

 

Ballack has been the leading man in every team he has played for since joining Bayer Leverkusen seven years ago, inspiring the unfancied German side to the 2002 Champions League final before leading Bayern Munich to Bundesliga titles in three of his four years at the club, but he appears content to accept more of a supporting role at Stamford Bridge.

 

The 29-year-old’s arrival on a three-year contract worth £130,000 a week has already upset the club’s wage structure, with Lampard and John Terry seeking improved deals as a result, and he is anxious not to disturb the dressing-room harmony even further. Having been promoted as the face of Germany 2006 in his native country, Ballack may even enjoy a spell away from the limelight.

 

“At Bayern I was a leader, but I don’t mind being less of a leader and part of the team instead,” he said. “Bigger teams like Brazil have a lot of leaders but also play as a team. I really don’t mind. I am absolutely open-minded to not being the leader.”

 

Terry’s ego has been pricked by the knowledge that, as club captain, he is paid £40,000 a week less than Chelsea’s latest signing, but Lampard’s position is under most scrutiny.

 

Lampard’s dark mood has been the one cloud on the horizon in a blisteringly hot Californian summer, with the hostile look he gave certain members of the media yesterday suggesting that he is still seething at criticism of his performances during the World Cup.

 

Having endured a disappointing tournament, the arrival of another goalscoring midfield player of even greater standing could not have come at a worse time, but Ballack insists that they can play together.

 

“We can do well together, why not?” the German said. “He’s a great player and, just like in any team I’ve played in, I really enjoy playing with those kind of players. It won’t be a problem. We want to be successful and don’t want to compete with each other. We want to work together and it’s great to be alongside him.”

 

José Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, intends to play the pair together in a 4-4-2 formation and has instructed them to get to know each other as quickly as possible. Having scored 73 goals between them from midfield over the past two seasons, the partnership could be devastating if they play with sufficient discipline.

 

“In every training session we are getting closer in terms of tactics and soccer stuff, but we haven’t really talked about our compatibility,” Ballack said. “Lampard’s a great player. Because we both play in midfield doesn’t mean we’re going to harm each other, it will just be an even better duo. Frank is very much a team player.”

 

Ballack revealed that the decision to give him his preferred shirt was taken only on Monday, thus confirming Mourinho’s determination to punish Gallas, with the No 13 ultimately proving unlucky for the France defender. “I had accepted the No 19 shirt, but two days ago the coach came and said, ‘OK, it’s fine for you to have the 13’. There was no particular reason,” Ballack said.

 

At least Lampard will be relieved that the German was not given No 8.

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2296794,00.html

i would love it if the fact they were able to buy any player they wanted was the reason for the team not doing so well this season