Claude Makelele

[EskWeston 696]

Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele has agreed to move to Paris Saint Germain, according to French radio station RMC.

The news will be a surprise to the Stamford Bridge fans as, despite being a veteran, the 35-year-old has been a popular and key figure for Chelsea in the last five years.

The Parc des Princes outfit approached Makelele for the first time in summer 2007, but the midfielder decided against returning to France.

It appears the former France star, who announced his international retirement following Les Bleus’ elimination at Euro 2008, is ready to embark on a final challenge with PSG.

Paris’ new president Charles Villeneuve wants the club to bounce back after two catastrophic seasons and signing domestic stars Makelele and Lilian Thuram is reportedly his priority.

An announcement is yet to be made by Chelsea or Paris Saint Germain, who were unavailable for comment when contacted by setantasports.com.

It has also been reported that France reserve Jimmy Briand, currently playing for Rennes, has also agreed a summer move to PSG.

Source: Setanta Sports

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Wow, that does come as a surprise. Fantastic player over the years for us, but he really is past his best unfortunately. Mikel and Essien have effectively replaced him, but he is a Blue legend and I shall miss him should he leave.

[EskWeston 696]

Wow, that does come as a surprise. Fantastic player over the years for us, but he really is past his best unfortunately. Mikel and Essien have effectively replaced him, but he is a Blue legend and I shall miss him should he leave.

It is a very suprising story. Although i do think that maybe it is time to let Maka move on and for us to build our midfield without him. I thought he may have ended up with still in some sort of coaching capacity - but doesn't look likely now.

[Kez 2,727]

I'm surprised about that.

Fantastic player, Fantastic professional he will be missed

Thanks for everything Maka

[DavidEU 2,023]

PSG director has denied this.

He said they are interested but 'still very very very far from an agreement'.

[Yan Dylan 0]

Yeah, PSG are looking for some experienced players , but Maka will stay i think, maybe the next season will be his last with us (It corresponds with the end of his contract with Chelsea)

[Stamford 3]

Well if he does go, i'd wish him well. He has been a fantastic player for us. I remember the day it was announced we had signed Maka, I was so excited I nearly pee'd my pants. World class is used far too often, but in Maka's case, it fits like a glove.

[diskoviolente 425]

well i doesn´t surprise me that much....i supposed him to quit professional football or leaving to do so at another smaller club.

for me he is what i call a reasonable, professional footballplayer....lots of expirience, someone who can calm down a stressy sitution on the pitch...

well, thanks Maka, with 35 you deserve some rest now , man !

[Stamford 3]

For me he is what i call a reasonable, professional footballplayer....

I don't know if your meaning was lost in translation diskoviolente, but Maka is much more than a reasonable player. He was for a long time the best in the world in his position. But now John Obi or Essien can play there and they have had a good teacher. Although personally, i'd have liked to see Diarra stay and make that position his own.

[Mungii 3]

I was really hoping that he will stay with us in his last season...he can be usfull in big matches....

I still think our biggest mistake was selling Lassana Diarra!

[bombayblue™ 55]

probably the only player ever with a position named after him.. if he goes i'd respect his decision, if he stays i'd love it even more.. he is still one of the best around..

[diskoviolente 425]

well it was mybe lost in translation

i wanted to say that Makelele seemed to me like down to earth who kept cool and arranged the midfield besides Lamps and Ballack or if need ed the defense wing....

well it was annoying to see him discuss every decision of the refs in the Euro...that didn´t fit that much to the Makelele i knew

well, hope you guys understand what i wanted to say

[EskWeston 696]

It is hard for players to play at the very highest level at the sort of age Maka is now. He did incredibly well last season, but i think given the chances in the club this season i think now is the time to look forward without him and build our midfield without him, which has been hard up till now..

[Elliott 7]

I wouldn't be at all surprised by such a move, and I think it is very much a case of thank you for your great service Claude, good luck in Paris! If it happens.

[EskWeston 696]

Claude Makelele is staying at Chelsea having signed a one-year extension to his contract which will keep him at the club until 2010.

The French midfielder had been widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge to spend the remainder of his career at French club Paris St-Germain. But new manager Luis Felipe Scolari had insisted that the club keep the experienced player for at least another year.

Makelele joined Chelsea in 2003 from Real Madrid for £16.8 million and has since made 144 appearances for them.

The 35-year-old will now be able to focus all his attention on his Chelsea duties following his retirement from international football last week.

Makelele was involved in every minute of France's Euro 2008 campaign, which ended after the group stages following their 2-0 defeat to Italy.

It is the third time he has announced his international retirement - and it is thought that Chelsea wanted to know for sure before offering him an extension.

He first made the decision to retire in 2004 but later changed his mind deciding that he would help his country qualify for the 2006 World Cup. After losing to Italy on penalties in the World Cup final, Makelele again hinted that international retirement was what he wanted but he was still playing for France until last week.

He retires with 71 international caps.

Ex-Chelsea manager Avram Grant revealed last night that his former club are tracking Russian midfielder Yuri Zhirkov.

Grant was commenting on the Euro 2008 semi-final between Russian and Spain for Israeli TV when he made the revelation. It was previously believed that Chelsea were eyeing Andrei Arshavin but Grant corrected rumours stating that the interest was in fact in Zhirkov.

Source: Telegraph