By Kevin Fylan
FRANKFURT, May 23 - Germany has just one
world-class player going into the 2006 World Cup but considering
that man is Michael Ballack the hosts will feel anything is
possible.
Ballack faces two huge challenges this year: attempting to
lead Germany to victory in the World Cup finals and then proving
his star qualities all over again in England after his move to
Chelsea.
At the age of 29, the man from Goerlitz in the old East
Germany has matured into the sort of midfielder every coach
wants.
His influence may not always be obvious over the whole 90
minutes, and the German media can be harsh in its criticism of
him, but there is no player quite like him when the clock is
ticking down and nothing but a goal will do.
Simply put, he thrives on pressure and when his team
desperately need a goal it is inevitably Ballack throwing
himself into the penalty area to make the decisive header or
provoke the foul that will bring it.
"We could find a player to replace him in terms of the role
he plays, but we could never find someone with his character,"
Bayern coach Felix Magath said this season, as reports first
surfaced of his likely departure.
Ballack has already shown he can have a huge influence at
the highest level, by leading an average Germany to the final in
South Korea and Japan four years ago.
His importance to the team has only increased in the last
four years since joining Bayern from Bayer Leverkusen and he led
the Bavarians to three German league and cup doubles.
Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann backed the idea of him
moving abroad -- Klinsmann himself enjoyed successful spells in
England, Italy and France -- and Ballack wants to make the
switch as newly crowned world champion.
"We intend to do great things at the World Cup this summer,"
Ballack wrote on his personal website.
Given the events of four years ago, it is worth taking
Ballack's warning seriously.