Ballack feels Chelsea troubles have strengthened spirit

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack insists the managerial upheavals and difficult times in recent seasons have helped to forge an unbreakable team spirit within the Stamford Bridge dressing room.

GettyImages

Ballack feels the team spirit at Chelsea is stronger than ever

The Blues are now five points clear of Arsenal and Manchester United at the top of the Premier League thanks to their 1-0 victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's men on Sunday. Carlo Ancelotti's side have a 100% home record this season and have not conceded a goal at the Bridge since the opening day of the campaign.

The Blues are now hoping to win their first title since 2006, having gone through five managerial changes since the last time they lifted the trophy under Jose Mourinho, and they have also suffered plenty of heartbreak in the Champions League, but Ballack believes the difficult situations and disappointing times have helped the side stick together.

"The team has grown together and every year we have more experience and confidence," he said. "Most of the players have stayed here. We've been through a lot of nice games but also a lot of difficult situations and some little disappointments have stuck us together.

"If you come back from disappointing situations together then you do better the next season. We have to focus at this early stage and keep that going until around April and the deciding games in the season.

"You work the whole year for these big games, league deciders and cup finals. It is very important that you don't waste points by drawing here and there at this stage of the season and finding yourself five points behind and chasing, so it is a good time at the moment for us and we want to keep it going."