Michael Ballack has backed Bayern Munich to be among the contenders for the Champions League crown this season.

The former Bayern midfielder was impressed with their new signing Arjen Robben and he feels it is a display of their ambitions.

The Dutch winger joined the German giants from Real Madrid for £22million and made an immediate impact, scoring twice on his debut against champions Wolfsburg.

Bayern were also boosted by Franck Ribery's decision to stay on at the club.

Munich have not won the Champions League since 2001 and have slipped down the European pecking order as England's big four have increasingly dominated.

Ballack, speaking to Munich-based newspaper TZ , said: "Bayern have learned in recent times they need to sign players of the quality of Ribery or Robben to have a chance of winning the Champions League trophy.

"Signing a player of his (Robben's) class will automatically up your standard."

Ballack, who joined Chelsea in 2006 after four years with Bayern, played with Robben for two years at Stamford Bridge and is confident the winger will light up the German league.

"Arjen is fast and a great dribbler of the ball," added Ballack. "I can't think of any player like him in the Bundesliga these days."