By Chris Wright

After his side confirmed the capture of former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack last week, Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Völler has tipped the 33-year-old to become the German club’s ‘ultimate lead figure’.

Leverkusen topped the Bundesliga for almost two-thirds of last season before seeing their campaign falter and fade in the latter stages, culminating in a relatively disappointing fourth-place finish – but Völler believes that Ballack’s influence will be key in restoring ‘Neverkusen’ back to their former glories.

The former German international striker told the Sonntags-Express;

“We were just lacking something and I think that Michael is that.

He should be a reference point in the team. He is the ultimate lead figure.”

Ballack, who played for Leverkusen between 1999 and 2002, is currently injured but is expected to recover in time for the preseason.

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