Ballack: Jens should still be number one
by Craig Kemp, 28 March 2008
Michael Ballack has no hesitation that Jens Lehmann should still be Germany's number one, as they head for Euro 2008.
The veteran goalkeeper has largely been limited to cup appearances at Emirates Stadium as Arsene Wenger has favoured Manuel Almunia in Arsenal's stuttering title charge.
However with rumours that the 38-year-old could lose his national team place because of his lack of first team football, Lehmann produced an assured display in Germany's 4-0 midweek friendly victory over Switzerland.
And his clean sheet against the European Championship co-hosts in Basle, means he has gone a record 621 minutes without conceding a goal for the national team.
The Chelsea midfielder told Bild newspaper: "It is of course silly if you don't play for your club.
"But Jens has showed that he is the right man to keep goal. I believe there will be no more talk about it in the lead up to the championships."
Germany coach Loachim Low has a number of potential aces up his sleeve including Bayer Leverkusen's Rene Adler and Schalke's Manuel Neuer, while Valencia's more experienced Timo Hildebrand has also been linked with the position.