Michael Ballack is the most high-profile German in England and it will be interesting to see how the national captain performs under Carlo Ancelotti, who wanted to sign Ballack for AC Milan in 2006.
It is fair to say that Ballack has not delivered his best for Chelsea, largely due to injury, but the recent signing of a contract extension suggests he has unfinished business at Stamford Bridge. A clear bill of health could see him become a central figure in the Blues’ challenge for domestic and European silverware.
The only other German in line for Premier League football this season – Robert Huth was relegated with Middlesbrough – is Savio Nsereko. The West Ham United youngster is at the other end of a national career from Ballack but there are high hopes that Nsereko, 20 later this month, will have a similar impact for Die Mannschaft.
Uganda, the country of his birth, still hope he will become a full international for them, but Nsereko’s progress at youth level for Germany suggests he will continue his progression for the country that started him on his club career.
West Ham paid Brescia £5m, possibly rising to £10m, for the services of Nsereko. This large sum reveals a great deal of faith on the part of the Hammers, especially as the club were destabilised by financial concerns at the time of the big-money transfer earlier this year.
Gianfranco Zola has warned the English press not to build up his starlet too much, but expectations are high for a player at a club known for giving youth its chance. Nsereko will predominantly be used on the left wing, although a role as striker cannot be ruled out. He’ll certainly be hoping to help West Ham upset the Premiership odds this season!
