MICHAEL BALLACK
An ankle operation before the climax to the 2006/07 season denied Michael a place in the FA Cup winning side but he had made a mark in Chelsea's earlier triumphant Carling Cup Final, slipping the perfect pass through for Didier Drogba's important equaliser against Arsenal in Cardiff.
That was a high point in a season of acclimatisation for the German international captain. Another was the extra-time FA Cup semi-final winner against Blackburn that sent Chelsea to the new Wembley and although Michael's seven goals from midfield was lower than his seasonal average, his overall contribution frequently drew commendation from José Mourinho.
Just one week after the close of the previous season, Chelsea announced our intention not to sit on the laurels of back-to-back championship wins when we signed the biggest name in the German game.
An ankle operation before the climax to the 2006/07 season denied Michael a place in the FA Cup winning side but he had made a mark in Chelsea's earlier triumphant Carling Cup Final, slipping the perfect pass through for Didier Drogba's important equaliser against Arsenal in Cardiff.
That was a high point in a season of acclimatisation for the German international captain. Another was the extra-time FA Cup semi-final winner against Blackburn that sent Chelsea to the new Wembley and although Michael's seven goals from midfield was lower than his seasonal average, his overall contribution frequently drew commendation from José Mourinho.
Just one week after the close of the previous season, Chelsea announced our intention not to sit on the laurels of back-to-back championship wins when we signed the biggest name in the German game.
