Knowing Carlo: Episode 1. Michael Ballack and Michael Essien

In Knowing Carlo, we seek to discover what has driven our serial-winner manager during a trophy-laden football career spanning six decades. We have spoken to those who have inside knowledge of what makes the Italian tick – those who have played with him, played under him, managed him, and stood alongside him for some of his greatest achievements. Michael Ballack played 45 matches in Carlo Ancelotti’s Double-winning first campaign at Chelsea. The former Germany international midfielder, whose catalogue of celebrated former managers includes Jose Mourinho, Ottmar Hitzfeld and Guus Hiddink, views Ancelotti as one of the finest bosses of his career. Ballack won scores of major honours but it wasn’t until the arrival of Ancelotti for the player’s fourth season at Stamford Bridge that he claimed a Premier League title. The irrepressible Michael Essien spent two years at Chelsea with Ancelotti. Ghanaian Essien, a forceful and energetic midfield talent, recovered from injury to grow into a pivotal performer in the Italian's second season in west London. In the opening episode of Knowing Carlo, Ballack and Essien describe their experiences of working under Ancelotti... and how he took Chelsea back to the top of the Premier League.