Lampard and I can succeed as Chelsea midfield partners, insists Ballack - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Lampard and I can succeed as Chelsea midfield partners, insists Ballack

Chelsea's German midfielder Michael Ballack insists that he can build a partnership with Frank Lampard and silence the doubters.

The players started together for the first time this season in Sunday's goalless draw with Liverpool and neither shone.

Ballack had been in fine form during the England international's five-week absence through injury but many think their styles are too similar to be accommodated in the same team.

The pair never gelled properly under previous manager Jose Mourinho either, and Avram Grant needs to find a way to get them firing.

Ballack said: "Frank is a very good player and we need him. He has scored a lot of goals and it is not about him, me or anyone else in midfield. I have no problems playing with anybody and it is better to have a good player by your side than a bad one.

"I think we can put all the doubts to bed. We have played a lot of games together and it is not a problem."

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