Michael Ballack admits Chelsea's Champions League final defeat to Manchester United is providing great motivation for the players this term.

"We had a bad experience last season when we lost the Champions League final," admitted Ballack. "That was a huge disappointment for everyone but it has also been a big motivation for this season too.

"You can see the spirit in the team - everyone wants to get to that point again and it is the same in the league. We haven't won the Premier League for the last two years and now we are very focused on that as well. It is time to bring the championship trophy back to Stamford Bridge.

"And even when we haven't done so well - like against Roma, Liverpool and Burnley - the good thing is that we've bounced back straight away and given an answer.

"That shows the team is strong and experienced and can deal with these situations. We have not let a defeat cause us to slip into a bad run."

Ballack is fit once again after revealing that he did have operations on both of his feet to cure a nerve problem that was getting worse.

"I actually had the same problem on each foot," explained Ballack.

"It had been there for a while and it was starting to cause me some pain.

"It was something to do with the nerve between my third and fourth toes. So I had a small operation on both feet. It was no big deal.

"In the end it kept me out for four weeks but it is nothing major and it is good for the long term that I've got it sorted out."