Sami Khedira aims to keep Michael Ballack out of Germany team
Sami Khedira has drawn the battle lines against Michael Ballack, insisting that the veteran Germany captain faces a fight if he hopes to return to the country’s national team.
Khedira was drafted into the side for the 2010 FIFA World Cup after Ballack was ruled out following an injury sustained in the FA Cup Final with Chelsea. However, Khedira was outstanding in the defensive midfield role and won himself a move to La Liga giants Real Madrid. Now, the 23-year-old has no intention of giving up his place in the national team to allow Ballack to make his return.
Ahead of his country’s first UEFA 2012 European Football Championship qualifying campaign with Belgium tonight, Khedira told reporters that: "In his career, Michael Ballack has done much for German football and has produced several excellent performances at major tournaments. But with all due respect to him, that may no longer matter. I know that I do not have to hide, and can bring to the national team my own style and, hopefully, success."
Ballack captain 'if he plays'
Germany coach Joachim Loew had revealed that Ballack would retain his status as captain if he were to feature. However, the word ‘if’ may be a sticking point as Loew said Ballack, now of Bayer Leverkusen, faced a fight to get into the team ahead of the current first-choice duo of Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Ballack has enjoyed a glittering career at club level, having picked up a Bundesliga title with Kaiserslautern and three with Bayern Munich. He also won three English Premier League championships with Chelsea and has twice featured in the final of the UEFA Champions League — both times on the losing side.
At international level, Ballack has enjoyed success as he has helped Germany to runners-up places in the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2008.
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