Sam: Ballack crucial for Chelsea visit

Sidney Sam believes Michael Ballack’s presence will help Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League Group E clash with Chelsea on Wednesday.

Bundesliga outfit Leverkusen trail group leaders Chelsea by two points with two matches remaining, with the English Premier League club winning the home encounter between the two sides on September 13.

Former Germany captain Ballack spent four seasons at Chelsea before returning to Leverkusen in June 2010, having initially left the BayArena in 2002 to join Bayern Munich.

Sam is hopeful Leverkusen can improve on their showing against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in September, and believes Ballack’s inside knowledge of his former club could prove crucial.

“Chelsea are a tight team; they are a team with big names. That’s what characterises them. They are very robust and play well. They play the ball up front very quickly and directly,” Sam told UEFA.com.

“They are a great team. We did quite well at Stamford Bridge and might have got a bit more, maybe a draw. But now we play Chelsea at home. We want to win the game and will give everything.”

“Michael Ballack has international experience and is a great player, and he can help us young players. When it is not going too well, he is there and he pushes the team; he is a leader and any team could do with him. Of course, he has been giving us advice. Chelsea are his old club and he can help us.”