Ballack aiming high

Germany (11/1 to win the World Cup)  midfielder Michael Ballack is setting his sights high for Bayer Leverkusen, after his move back to his home country was confirmed.

Ballack was unable to secure a new deal with Premier League champions Chelsea and moved to his former club in the Bundesliga.

The 33-year-old is still ambitious about his future and is looking to bring success to Leverkusen as they look to challenge for the league title.

He said: “We want to win the league in the near future.

“My ambitions are still very high. I have always been playing to win trophies over the last decade and we can do that with Bayer too.

“Of course Bayern are the top favourites, but there is such great potential here in Leverkusen and we should also go a long way in Europe,” he added.

Ballack stated that he was shocked not to be offered a new deal at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea 13/8 to win the Premier League next season) after he helped the west London side secure their first domestic double in their 105 year history.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder would be captaining Germany at this summer’s World Cup in South Africa but for an ankle injury he picked up in the final game of the season for Chelsea in their win against Portsmouth in the FA Cup.

Ballack is still a key player for the national side and is determined to continue his career at that level after he recovers from injury.

He said: “Of course I still want to play for the national team and I have my eyes on Euro 2012.

“I will be 35 then and we will have to see nearer the time what happens (with a new contract). My health also plays a very big role.

Ballack will regain his favoured number 13 shirt when he plays for Leverkusen and could feature as the captain next season however the player is taking nothing for granted.

He said: “That is up to the coach,” he said. “I don’t have to be the captain to assume responsibility.

“Simon Rolfes is a great captain and has filled the position well and I think that it will remain that way.”

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