Chelsea legend on Hazard, Costa and Guardiola tactics

The former Chelsea and Germany midfielder, speaking on behalf of BT Sport, has warned Eden Hazard of the dangers of going to Real Madrid, why Chelsea must keep “diva” Diego Costa, how Antonio Conte has transformed the champions-elect into a “predictable but good team”, why he would have loved to have played under Pep Guardiola, and how Leroy Sane has made such a stunning impact at Manchester City.

You turned down the chance to go to Real Madrid, should Hazard do the same?

“He did not have a good season last year but it seems he’s a bit of an emotional player who needs support and to feel really comfortable with the coach and the team and in his private life so that he can perform.

“If he moved to Real he would have to fight for that standing again and it would take time because he’s a bit of an introvert. He’s not a player who talks a lot, and at Real, it would be a different situation for him. 

“At Chelsea he knows what he has. He’s the top player at the club and will be the key man for the next one or two years – plus he lives in a fantastic city. He has to decide if he wants to give that up or if he wants to be successful with Chelsea on another level by going into the Champions League to help them back to where they were in Europe. 

“They are talking about a lot of money. That’s surely also a reason for a player or a club [to do the deal]. But if you speak about football facts, he has fought for a long time to get to the position he’s in at Chelsea and he will not have that standing at many clubs in Europe. So he would have to fight for that and it could take a few years again.

Should Chelsea sell Costa?

“No. He is one of their key players. He is a bit of a diva, mainly in a positive way, but you need those kinds of players as leaders to change games. He steps up and does something unpredictable. 

“He’s not an easy player to handle, especially for the coach sometimes, but so far he is doing really well.

“They should not sell him because there are not centre-forwards who can hold the ball, turn, make runs, score. Robert Lewandowski maybe, but not many. I don’t really see a replacement for him right now, so keep him.”

Why has Conte succeeded this season when Mourinho failed last season?

“Mourinho did well for a couple of seasons and then in the third one there was a problem. He is not an easy character and sometimes players are not easy characters. And sometimes when things are not working and they are not going in the right direction you should change it.

“Conte is fresh. He was the right candidate and he is proving a fantastic coach. He came to Chelsea with no sentimentality in terms of anyone, he was completely new. He has adapted to a new league which is totally different to what he was used to as a player and manager.

"He has his ideas, he has put them across to his squad and it has worked. He has brought structure and happiness back to the players – they are enjoying their football.

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Ballack has backed Costa and Hazard to stay at Chelsea and says Guardiola may be cautious tonight

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Diego Costa has been linked with a move away from Chelsea in the summer

“After a difficult start he made some changes and found a good access to the players. They are playing the way he wants and to his style. It’s predictable football – but good football.

“Everybody is playing well, the team is going in the right way and that is what Chelsea needed this season. They can prepare well during the week because they do not have European games, so the players are rested, they look fresh and really aware. 

"We will have to see how he handles the Premier League and Champions League when there will be more games and more pressure.”

Was the defeat to Crystal Palace just a one-off or is it the start of a stumble?

“I don’t think it will affect them. In fact, they will do even more than before to prove there is no chance for the chasing teams, especially Tottenham. So I don’t expect another loss. They look too stable.

“Conte is very much into details. I have seen that in training and the way they repeat things, always two, three times a week, getting an automatism into the behaviour of the players on the pitch so they are convinced in what they do. 

“Even if it doesn’t work – like at the weekend – players don’t lose their confidence completely because it has worked so well over the season.”

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Michael Ballack admits he would loved to have played under Pep Guardiola

Who would you have liked to play for out of the top four managers (Conte, Klopp, Pochettino and Guardiola)?

“I really wanted to play under Guardiola because of the experience Bayern Munich had with him and watching how much he asks for from the players, the high standards, the tactics. Some players don’t like it and think it’s a bit over the top, but if you are an intelligent group, you should handle that.

“From the German players, I heard Pep was the best coach they ever trained under at Bayern. At both Barcelona and Bayern, he was playing perfect football to watch and that’s why I would have liked to work with him.”

Are you impressed by Leroy Sane’s quick adaptation to English football?

“He has made a big step in the last few months at City, especially physically. He looks a stronger player now. From a technical and talent point of view he’s always been fantastic.

"He has a great left foot, a good touch, he has good vision, but what you need in the Premier League is physicality, especially when you are a winger and you want to get past players. You get knocks but you have to come back. Don’t go down or go backwards. 

“If you are young, normally defenders can impose their toughness on you. But he seems to be really comfortable with his body. You see that when he has the ball and defenders are coming towards him looking to make a challenge. He is confident enough to face them up.

“Tactically, Pep has shown him how to run into space and use the space. I’m sure he will be one of the main players at City and for Germany in the years to come.”

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Michael Ballack is impressed with Leroy Sane's transformation at Man City

Will Guardiola change his tactics after the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in December?

“Guardiola’s style of football is he wants to dominate. And with the quick players he has, he wants to score goals, no matter who the opponents are.

“Maybe City will be a bit more careful. Sometimes to win matches you need to change your style to adapt to the opponents you are facing. When two big teams are playing each other, it can go in any direction. You need to score in the right moment, you need to take your chances, and that’s why City lost the match in December.”

Will there be any bad blood from the first match when Aguero was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Luiz and Fernandinho saw red for grabbing Fabregas by the throat?

“A lot of time has passed since then so I don’t know if it is still in the heads of the players. They have had so many games in the season. Hopefully it will go in the right way and it stays fair.”