FRANZ Beckenbauer believes Michael Ballack is the only indispensable member of the Germany squad.
The Chelsea midfielder was one of his country's most impressive performers as they made it to the final of Euro 2008 before losing to Spain.
He scored the winner against Austria in the final group game and the decisive third goal against Portugal in the quarter-finals.
Beckenbauer told Sportbild: "Michael Ballack is a leader. He has learned a lot in his two years at Chelsea.
"He is a real captain, the man in the house, accepted by everyone, involved in the crucial situations.
"We have a balanced team with an outstanding Ballack. All the others are exchangeable.
"But that is not meant as an insult. It speaks for the squad. There are no weak points."
He scored the winner against Austria in the final group game and the decisive third goal against Portugal in the quarter-finals.
Beckenbauer told Sportbild: "Michael Ballack is a leader. He has learned a lot in his two years at Chelsea.
"He is a real captain, the man in the house, accepted by everyone, involved in the crucial situations.
"We have a balanced team with an outstanding Ballack. All the others are exchangeable.
"But that is not meant as an insult. It speaks for the squad. There are no weak points."
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