Michael Ballack puts his perfect return down to watching Federer win

Ballack is not used to struggling in his career but that is exactly what happened to him in a Chelsea shirt last season.

Just one Premier League goal is a measly return for a player of his calibre and while the club decided he was still worthy of a new one-year deal, his game was lacking some spark.The 33-year-old midfielder faced a lot of criticism over his performances and there were even some suggestions that his best days were behind him.

It was a situation facing Federer only 12 months ago and yet his triumph over Andy Roddick in a gruelling five-set match at the All England Club in July meant he reclaimed his position as world No1.

In the crowd to see it was Ballack and it is no coincidence that the German international is also back to his best this season. Ballack may have shown a lot of character to recover from certain setbacks during his 14 years as a professional but even he was galvanised by the way Federer refused to accept defeat.

He revealed: "It's good for your career as a sportsman if you watch other professional sports - how they're behaving and how they react in difficult situations. I think it's always good to learn from other sports.

"It was amazing to see how relaxed Federer was and how easy he made it look. This is always a sign he's on a different level. If you play five hours of a match, five sets and the last is 16-14, you have to come to a point where it's getting difficult. But you couldn't see it happening with him and this was unbelievable."

What many Chelsea fans have found unbelievable this season is that Ballack has outshone Frank Lampard.

He already has three League goals to his name, compared to Lampard's one, and appears to have benefitted most from coach Carlo Ancelotti's diamond midfield system. So far Ballack has played mostly on the right, which is where he is expected to line up at Aston Villa tomorrow, and has offered a calm authority in that position.

But he can play anywhere in the middle and it is something which will prove useful in the New Year when Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel, who both play the holding role, depart to take part in the African Nations' Cup.

His commitment is as strong as ever and there is no danger of him suffering fatigue either for he is feeling fresh after being allowed to take an extended holiday in the summer. He added in Chelsea's official magazine: "It helped me that I had a good break. This is unusual as it's normally a lot shorter because of the World Cup. So it was my first time I had five weeks and I felt the difference.

"Last year it wasn't that successful for me. Maybe I was a little bit unlucky but now it looks like I'm coming back to scoring goals, which is a big strength of mine. Hopefully I can score a few more.

"I spoke with the coach and I told him I could play all these [midfield] positions and he knows this anyway. I've done it before and it's definitely an advantage. I think it's important that players take responsibility.

"Of course, it's all about experience as well, you grow as a footballer and you feel this as you're getting older."

Ballack believes the wealth of Chelsea's experience throughout the team will also help end Manchester United's three-year reign as champions.

The squad have been described as too old, the style of play too one-dimensional, since their last title triumph in 2006 and yet virtually the same players have put them two points clear at the top this term.

Their 3-1 defeat at Wigan last month, not to mention FIFA's transfer ban, led to more predictions of doom and gloom but Ballack says Chelsea can never be written off.

He said: "Sometimes people underestimate players or clubs. You shouldn't do this, especially with teams like Germany or Chelsea, where there is so much strength and experience.

"We believe in ourselves and that's the important thing. Even if you have a bad day, you always have to believe in your own strength. If you work hard, then success will come back.

"Most of the players are together for a long time and you can feel this, there's a good mentality in the group. Everybody is part of this team and making it successful."

* Read the full interview in the November edition of Chelsea's Official Magazine, priced at £3.25.