Michael Ballack believes Chelsea can win silverware this season, and banish the heartache of so many runners-up medals.

The German midfield dynamo has had his name linked to everything second, including the much maligned 2002 Bayer Leverkusen (‘Neverkusen') team that finished runners-up in the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal and the Champions League.

Ballack went on to star for Germany, and even that team lost to Brazil in the World Cup final.

In the last campaign, the German superstar's ‘bridesmaid' reputation was not helped by Chelsea coming second in the Premier League, the Carling Cup, and once again, the Champions League.

No one wanted to be in Ballack's shoes when he went up the podium to receive his Euro 2008 runners-up medal; another second finish.

However, the on-form midfielder believes that the current Chelsea side can break the ‘second' curse under new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and taste glory at the end of the current campaign.

 "We didn't win the title, we were very close but in the end we lost," said Ballack. "And the Champions League final, everybody was disappointed about this."

"But we have to look forward to the next season. We have a good squad and another chance to win four titles.

"I am happy and I am prepared for this season, now everything is fine and I am looking forward to playing next season.

"In Germany we always said the biggest thing to win is the league title because it is a competition for the whole season, so we are looking for this title and also the Champions League.

"We have a big squad and a strong squad in midfield but it is a big competition. We have a big target to win not just one title but go for all four, so we need a big squad.

"It shows that Chelsea has a very good team and is very organised and competitive.

"We haven't just had one good season, the last few seasons we have done very well and we were very close. But we want to win these titles and this season we will try again."

espnstar.com