| 16.08.2008 |
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| The Bundesliga's main schedule gets underway today after Bayern Munich and Hamburg hammered out a 2-2 draw in the Allianz Arena last night in the opening salvo of the season. Most Germans with an interest in soccer will either be readying themselves for journeys to the four corners of the land in support of their team or will have their eyes peeled for the results on TV screens and live tickers all over the nation. A few, however, will have other things on their minds. As well as hoping that this season will be more successful than last, Germany captain Michael Ballack may also be wondering where he is going to fit into new Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's plans for the London club's opening Premiership game against Portsmouth today -- and the rest of the season. Ballack proved his worth in the second half of last season as Chelsea pushed Manchester United hard to the last day in the title race, lost out in the Carling Cup Final and again came off second best to United in the final of the Champions League. The former Leverkusen and Bayern midfielder grew in stature and recaptured some of the form which persuaded club owner Roman Abromavich to pay him in excess of 150,000 euros a week as the season entered the latter stages. Unfortunately, and maybe a little unsurprisingly considering his blighted record, Ballack and Chelsea ended the campaign empty handed. The failure to win any silverware cost then coach Avram Grant his job. Again the deep pockets of Chelsea's patron and resident oligarch were ploughed with success in mind and Scolari soon rolled up with an armored car in tow to carry him and his wages back to his new Home Counties mansion where he would plan Chelsea's next attempt at world (soccer and commercial) domination. For Ballack, this may have set the cogs turning. How would he fit into the masterplan of a Brazilian coach with a remit from his billionaire employer to sign anyone he can get in a bid to snatch a clean sweep of trophies for the Stamford Bridge outfit? Doubts may have surfaced when Scolari made the Portuguese magician Deco his first signing. The little Brazilian-born midfielder was always Scolari's luxury item in his Portugal team; ever present like the Rolex on his coach's arm, dazzling and reliable in equal measure. Surely this son of Scolari would not be warming the bench? Ballack's concerns over the burgeoning Chelsea midfield were eased when Claude Makelele took his ageing legs back across the channel to play out his days in the role he made (and named) his own with Paris St. Germain. They would have dissipated further had Frank Lampard heralded the call of his father-figure Jose Mourinho to join him at Inter Milan. But even a surrogate family reunion can't compete with a new five-year deal in the same wage bracket as Ballack. Lampard stays and will collect around 150,000 euros a week for the privilege. With Lamps, Deco, Michael Essien (if Scolari doesn't waste his talents in a central defensive position this season), Jon Obi Mikel, Joe Cole, Flourent Malouda and Sean Wright-Phillips all fighting for midfield places, Ballack has the competition which every footballer claims makes them a better player. But where does Ballack fit in? Or does he fit at all? Essien, as he has proved in the past, is the ideal candidate to take over from Makelele as the shield for the defense while Mikel can also play that holding role in a five-man midfield. Given Ballack's propensity for aggressive forward play from the center, he may only have to worry about Scolari teaming Lampard with Deco in the middle of the field. With Deco conducting and Lampard operating behind a single striker (either Drogba, when fit, or Anelka), Ballack could be surplus to requirements at times in a five-man midfield. He won't trouble Cole, Malouda or Wright-Phillips in the battle for the wings so the Germany captain may have to get used to squad rotation. Should Abromavich sanction a world record transfer fee for AC Milan's Kaka – a young charge under Scolari when he was Brazil coach – then things could get increasingly more congested in Chelsea's midfield. This ridiculously ostentatious piece of fantasy football business is unlikely to be concluded until next season, giving Ballack a little more time to assess his future. Ballack has said that he wants to end his career at Chelsea. He may well achieve that – and on 150,000 euros a week he would be a fool not to stick it out. But however cynical we may all become about the state of soccer in terms of money and greed, despite what many think, players really only want to play. If they’re not playing, they’re not happy. If Ballack becomes a fifth – or sixth – wheel at Chelsea, who would bet against him finishing his career elsewhere in a team where he can play out his days with regular first team opportunities. DW-WORLD.DE's favorite Hasselhoff-loving, German player abroad also enters the Premiership fray once more this Saturday as Fulham take on newly promoted Hull City. However, if you take a glance over Volzy's often hilarious web site, you'll see he has a lot fewer worries than Herr Ballack despite being in a team which flirts with relegation on a yearly basis. The self-deprecating defender appears more concerned with mastering his new cook book than getting three points for Fulham. Volzy is a breath of fresh air in the often putrid atmosphere of modern soccer which is why we will continue to champion him and support him throughout this season, so keep your eyes open for our regularly updated "Volzy Watch" on Ballspiel. As for Saturday, Volzy will no doubt roll up at the stadium on his folding bike, give praise to the Hoff and begin another campaign of trying to keep the unfortunately nick-named Cottagers in the top flight. All power to yer boots, Mozzer! |
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