Michael Ballack has added some cheeky fuel to the fire ahead of Tuesday's Champions League meeting between Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea.
The former Germany captain is set to return to London for the first time since he was released by the Blues in summer 2010 when Leverkusen travel to Stamford Bridge for the opening group stage match.
Ballack added some extra spice to the contest when he quipped that perhaps Chelsea are not quite as good since he departed.
"Of course they're not stronger now - especially because I left," he joked.
But all jokes aside, Chelsea will make a special presentation to Ballack prior to the match and he was delighted his old club have decided to do something like this for him.
"Of course it is a very nice gesture," Ballack added. "Back then it was very difficult because we were still in negotiations and then I got injured and it didn't work out and we just went different ways so it will definitely be a very emotional moment for me."
