Michael Ballack: The Rise From Boo-Boy to Crowd Favourite

After a fruitful World Cup in 2006, when he dragged his beloved Germany into the semifinals in front of an adoring home crowd, great things were expected of Michael Ballack as he joined double Premiership winners Chelsea.

Along with the capture of £30 million Andriy Shevchenko, Ballack was expected to turn Chelsea from a good team into a great team, capable of turning over all in front of them and winning all four trophies up for grabs.

The big question when he arrived was simple: Where would he play? Would Chelsea abandon the formation of 4-3-3 that won them back-to-back league titles, or would a big name like Claude Makelele or Michael Essien—who were integral to Chelsea's success—be left on the bench?

As it was, Jose Mourinho opted for the diamond midfield—choosing power over substance in the hope of taking him to the ultimate goal of Champions League glory.

However, things didn't go according to plan for the German captain. A long summer took its toll on Ballack as he struggled to find form and fitness in his early Premiership career.

When Liverpool visited Stamford Bridge it was a real chance for Ballack to prove himself in a big game for his new club. However, he was sent off just after half time for a rash challenge on Momo Sissoko, where he appeared to stamp on the midfielder's leg.

Despite scoring a few crucial goals throughout the season, such as against Porto and Blackburn in the FA Cup semifinal, Ballack never really sparked up a partnership with Frank Lampard and rarely showed top form.

He was made a scapegoat by some sections of the Chelsea crowd, and was booed on occasions. Injury against Newcastle caused the German to miss the Champions League semifinals and the FA Cup final, and after a season that promised so much, it all ended in great disappointment.

Ballack decided to have an operation on his troublesome foot over the summer behind the back of the club, which caused great dissatisfaction from Mourinho. Ballack's future as a Chelsea player was thrown into doubt as Real Madrid were ready to take him from West London.

After hearing of Ballack's injury, Mourinho decided to leave him out of his provisional 23-man Champions League squad, which again fuelled ideas of him leaving in January. It seemed Mourinho had lost all trust in the player he had signed only a year ago, and that he was almost certainly heading out of Stamford Bridge, and the club he declared as "the club I want to finish my career at."

On 20th September, Avram Grant was installed as Chelsea manager. Although injured until December, it would prove to be a turning point for Ballack.

After successfully returning from injury, Ballack was ready to play in the hectic Christmas period that always proves the mettle of any team. On a Boxing Day clash with Aston Villa, stand-in skipper Frank Lampard was injured during the first half, paving the way for Michael Ballack to return to Premier League action.

At the same time he was handed the captain's armband by Grant—a decision that would prove vital over the coming months.

Ballack played a key role in the game and scored a brilliant free-kick two minutes from time, only for Villa to fight back and earn a point in injury time.

In the next two games, Ballack started as captain for the first time in his Chelsea career. Thriving on the responsibility as he has done in the past, he dragged Chelsea towards six points—including winning and scoring a penalty as the Blues came from behind against Fulham.

Ballack continued to perform fantastically for Chelsea over the season, including the majestic performance against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge—not many players could stand up and score an 85th minute penalty to win a game as emphatically as the German did.

Even turning the fickle Chelsea fans from the boos to singing "There's only one Michael Ballack" can be considered a success in itself.

Although ultimately the season ended in disappointment for Ballack and Chelsea, as they were pipped to the league title on the last day and lost the Champion League final on penalties, it proved to be a successful turn around in fortunes for Ballack at the club.

Without Ballack's goals, Chelsea would have finished 13, rather than two, points behind United that season—proving his importance. And after shining at Euro 2008, the future really is looking bright for the German captain.

Now watch Ballack shine under Scolari and prove his importance to the club. After all, there really is only one Michael Ballack.