Germany's Michael Ballack's boots will take some filling.

Chelsea’s magnificent league and cup double came at a heavy price for Germany captain Michael Ballack – no World Cup. Like the legendary Achilles, who did not heed the warnings of the Gods before marching into a war that would be the end of him, Michael Ballack, too, will have to sit out on the sidelines with an ankle injury. Chelsea’s German warrior will no doubt have celebrated his side’s league and cup triumphs, but his celebrations were cut awfully short by the news that he would miss out on the world’s greatest tournament in South Africa this summer.

An awful tackle by Kevin Prince Boateng in the hotly-contested FA Cup final which Chelsea went on to lift, saw Michael Ballack heroically and tragically fall before he could march on with the German National Team into this year’s World Cup.

Germany coach Joachim Low now has a difficult task on his hands. With the fall of the inspirational midfield general, the man who led Germany to third place at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and runners-up in the 2002 World Cup will not be there this time for his team and his coach to count on for that important goal or that surge of energy or his superb leadership qualities. The man chosen to replace Michael Ballack is not the like-for-like Torsten Frings, who always plays with his heart on his sleeve, or the experienced Thomas Hitzlsperger, but it is U-21 captain and Stuttgart lynchpin Sami Khedira.

Khedira captained the German U-21 side to victory in the 2009 U-21 European Championship, and has also lifted the Bundesliga title with Stuttgart in the 06-07 season. Despite only being 23, Khedira has shown a maturity beyond his years and has become an important first-team player for Stuttgart this season.

Built in the mould of Michael Ballack, if not slightly more defensive-minded, Khedira has come through the ranks at Stuttgart and his performances have clearly warranted his World Cup spot, and he will understand the role he must play in replacing influential captain Michael Ballack. Surrounded by experienced players such as Phillip Lahm and Miroslav Klose,  Khedira shouldn’t let any nerves get to him and will star in the midfield beside another vastly experienced player, in the form of Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Low’s decision to include Khedira and have him be the one to replace Michael Ballack will be vindicated at this summer’s World Cup in South Africa, and a big money move after the tournament may well be on the cards, should he show the world how good he really is.

Khedira has made 33 appearances in all competitions for Stuttgart this season, registering 3 goals and 7 assists.