FRANKFURT, May 23 - Germany has just one world-class player going into the 2006 World Cup but considering that man is Michael Ballack the hosts will feel anything is possible.

Ballack faces two huge challenges this year: attempting to lead Germany to victory in the World Cup finals and then proving his star qualities all over again in England after his move to Chelsea.

At the age of 29, the man from Goerlitz in the old East Germany has matured into the sort of midfielder every coach wants.

His influence may not always be obvious over the whole 90 minutes, and the German media can be harsh in its criticism of him, but there is no player quite like him when the clock is ticking down and nothing but a goal will do.

Simply put, he thrives on pressure and when his team desperately need a goal it is inevitably Ballack throwing himself into the penalty area to make the decisive header or provoke the foul that will bring it.

"We could find a player to replace him in terms of the role he plays, but we could never find someone with his character," Bayern coach Felix Magath said this season, as reports first surfaced of his likely departure.

Ballack has already shown he can have a huge influence at the highest level, by leading an average Germany to the final in South Korea and Japan four years ago.

His importance to the team has only increased in the last four years since joining Bayern from Bayer Leverkusen and he led the Bavarians to three German league and cup doubles.

Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann backed the idea of him moving abroad -- Klinsmann himself enjoyed successful spells in England, Italy and France -- and Ballack wants to make the switch as newly crowned world champion.

"We intend to do great things at the World Cup this summer," Ballack wrote on his personal website.

Given the events of four years ago, it is worth taking Ballack's warning seriously.