BERLIN (AFP) - Germany captain Michael Ballack has hit back at criticism of his form at English Premiership champions Chelsea, saying manager Jose Mourinho was happy with his performances.

"As far as I am concerned, I have integrated well into the team," Ballack said in an interview with the SID sports news agency.

"I feel very happy, I´ve found my role in the team and I have had plenty of confirmation of that, above all from my coach, Jose Mourinho, with whom I talk a lot," the midfielder said Monday.

Ballack, whose reported weekly salary of 130,000 pounds (255,000 dollars) is thought to make him the world´s highest-paid player, dismissed the criticism of his lacklustre form in the English press.

"There are a load of tabloid newspapers in England, which always need something to write and it doesn´t particularly bother me."

He did however accept that it was taking him time to adapt to his role in the star-studded Chelsea lineup.

"Naturally, in a team like Chelsea it takes time to perfect your game and play an outstanding role," Ballack said.

The latest criticism of Ballack came not from England, but closer to home, from Bayern Munich president Frank Beckenbauer, who said he should have opted for Manchester United instead of Chelsea when he left Bayern last year because his teammate, England midfielder Frank Lampard, was "stronger and takes his position".

Ballack dismissed the suggestion that he and Lampard were struggling to form an effective partnership.

"He plays his game, I play mine. We have a good understanding.

"Chelsea have been champions for the last two seasons and so expectations are high.

"We are lagging behind a little in the title race and so this (the criticism) is something we have to live with, especially the new signings."

Ballack said Chelsea knew they could not afford any more "slip-ups" if they are to make up the six-point gap on United at the top of the Premiership.

"It´ll be tough because United are so consistent. But we are still have a home match against them to come."

Ballack also said he believed that Mourinho would be staying at the club, despite speculation that he has fallen out with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich and could be eyeing a move to Real Madrid.

"Our coach is confronted by new rumours every day. I am sure as my teammates are that he is going to stay at Stamford Bridge."

Ballack is expected to line up for Germany in a friendly against Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Wednesday.