Ballack: No fuss over shirt
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New Chelsea signing Michael Ballack insists he did not complain about initially not being handed the number 13 shirt.
Ballack has worn the number for previous clubs Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, along with the German national team.
He will also get the chance to have 13 on his back for Chelsea after he was given the number previously worn by William Gallas.
Unsettled defender Gallas is thought to be unhappy with the decision, but Ballack is adamant he did not make a fuss when he learned the number was unavailable.
"I played in Leverkusen and Munich with the number 13," Ballack told Sky Sports News.
"I wanted it here, too, but the coach said to me it's not possible because William Gallas now has this number.
"For me, this was okay and I get 19.
"A few days ago, he (Jose Mourinho) came to me and says 'do you want 13?'. That was okay, I was surprised, but happy."
Meanwhile, Frank Lampard has been impressed by his new midfield partner and is keen to play alongside Ballack in The Premiership.
Lampard said: "You all want to play with top-class players alongside yourself. It not only helps the team, but it pushes you on personally.
"I look forward to playing with him.
"I've been training with him for a week and you can see he is a very good player, with a very good football brain.
"We have linked up pretty well so far, so hopefully it can be a good season for us together."
The England international is also confident that The Blues can make a bold bid for a third consecutive Premiership title.
He added: "With the additions, we've got world-class players and world-class youngsters, who are not proven yet, but have got great potential and are hungry to do well.
"We haven't really lost too many players and we have added in a good way, so hopefully that should make us stronger."
Ballack has worn the number for previous clubs Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, along with the German national team.
He will also get the chance to have 13 on his back for Chelsea after he was given the number previously worn by William Gallas.
Unsettled defender Gallas is thought to be unhappy with the decision, but Ballack is adamant he did not make a fuss when he learned the number was unavailable.
"I played in Leverkusen and Munich with the number 13," Ballack told Sky Sports News.
"I wanted it here, too, but the coach said to me it's not possible because William Gallas now has this number.
"For me, this was okay and I get 19.
"A few days ago, he (Jose Mourinho) came to me and says 'do you want 13?'. That was okay, I was surprised, but happy."
Meanwhile, Frank Lampard has been impressed by his new midfield partner and is keen to play alongside Ballack in The Premiership.
Lampard said: "You all want to play with top-class players alongside yourself. It not only helps the team, but it pushes you on personally.
"I look forward to playing with him.
"I've been training with him for a week and you can see he is a very good player, with a very good football brain.
"We have linked up pretty well so far, so hopefully it can be a good season for us together."
The England international is also confident that The Blues can make a bold bid for a third consecutive Premiership title.
He added: "With the additions, we've got world-class players and world-class youngsters, who are not proven yet, but have got great potential and are hungry to do well.
"We haven't really lost too many players and we have added in a good way, so hopefully that should make us stronger."
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