Quotes from Michael Ballack

Players sometimes don't want to have this heavy weight on their shoulders to carry the team or to get asked in certain situations to have that responsibility.

Things aren't always full of sunshine, there has to be friction at times as well.

It is not about the system, it is about how individuals perform on the pitch and whether they do the right things, so it is not as simple as just picking a system.

I was able to play for and captain my country.

Winning the league is one thing but for me it was always the dream to win the Champions League.

At Bayern you need other characteristics to assert yourself. Just being good is not enough there.

When I moved to Chelsea, it was a big, big challenge and experience for me at the time to play with so many good players.

I had a lot of emotional days at Chelsea, some that did not really end well, especially in the Champions League.

I think if you play for Chelsea you have to deal with the pressure, everybody knows the expectations.

It is really difficult, after Jose Mourinho, to work at Chelsea. It could cause a problem for any manager because Mourinho had such a relationship with the players and the fans.

I want to prove myself at Chelsea and be successful in the Premiership and the Champions League.

Football in Europe is No. 1 - that is what everyone watches because the best players in the world compete in this area.

I don't want to look back on my career at some point and say, 'What a pity, I came close a few times, but it was never good enough.'

I would have loved to have had a farewell match, and would have wanted the DFB to make that offer. But certain people did not plan that for me. I have to accept that.

When you are not winning, the coach is more or less the weakest person in the team who can be replaced.

People have weaknesses, we should accept it.

Football is not about possession or playing a nice passing game. Football is about winning games.

I think that's the philosophy of all top teams - to educate young, top players and to give them the possibility to play.

If you want to work as a coach for longer term you need consistency, trust in the club and also the environment around the club.

Sure, Mourinho was obviously crucial for my move to Chelsea.

The Premier League is a different kind of league, in terms of physical play.

I am happy to play in the Premier League. It's a competition which encourages players to give only their very best week in, week out and you have to be 100%.

I've learned to adapt to the pace of the English game and a different style of football in the Premier League.

We will give everything for the FA Cup, Champions League and Premier League.