A tribute to a Chelsea legend...

[carefreeluke 27]

Last Summer Claude Makelele quietly moved from Chelsea too Paris Saint Germain. Some how left unnoticeably, leaving Mikel to take up his role. There are not many players out there today who have a position named after them. The commonlly know "Makelele role" is now used worldwide. To be fair to Mikel he has took up the role well but is young and still has a lot to learn if he wants to reach the heights of Makelele. In recent times, defensive midfielders are the key to successful teams. Just look at the work of Yaya Toure at the treble winning side Barcelona. During the galatico's era at Real Madrid Makelele was earning a quarter of what the likes of Zidane, Figo, Mcmanaman were earning. Zidane, described him as the "engine of the team" during them days. The players felt he was one of the most important players in the team. He quite fairly decided to ask for a new contract. Perez the president of Real Madrid at the time quickly refused. "We will not miss Makelele he said...his technique is average, he lacks the speed and skill to take the ball past opponents." Out of order this may seem but we can actually thank Perez on this. This persuaded Makelele to hand in a transfer request. Where in the Summer of 2003 he signed for Chelsea for £16.8M. Without Makelele in the team Real Madrid struggled, after winning the Champions League in 2002 with Makelele in the team they struggled to get past the quater finals after Makelele left. It was Real Madrid's loss and Chelsea's gain. Mcmanaman described him as "the best player Real Madrid have had in years" "but people just didn't notice him". Similarly at Chelsea he left queitly, some how unoticebly. Unfortunately age is catching up with Maka, but this was a player who Mourinho named as player of the year twice during the back to back title winning seasons.

Makelele played 71 times for France. He was very important too our title winning team. He should be more appreciated, and is with out doubt a Chelsea legend. He also has played 18 more times for Chelsea than he did for Real Madrid. He's not only a footballing legend but a Chelsea one too.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Best midfielder in our history, quite possibly. To say he was the reason why we won the league two years in a row is an understatement.

[DavidEU 2,023]

Best midfielder in our history, quite possibly. To say he was the reason why we won the league two years in a row is an understatement.

Don't be silly, Alex. Great, but certainly not the best.

[Shane 2,275]

Tbh we would have won the 2 leagues without him.

Great player though.

[Stamford 3]

Best midfielder in our history, quite possibly. To say he was the reason why we won the league two years in a row is an understatement.

Magnificent player BL, but certainly not the best ever.

[oxfordblues 299]

gr8 player was our maka.but dennis wise is my greatest midfielder of modern times,maybe not as defensive as maka but just as effective.IMO

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Magnificent player BL, but certainly not the best ever.

I did say "quite possibly" Of course we have had some quite magnificent midfielders in our history, but I firmly believe Makelele is one of the best we have ever had. What I should have said is that I think he is arguably the best and most effective midfielder in our recent history, although Frank of course will have something to say about that.

[Rambo 1,729]

Maka is no doubt a Chelsea legend and I loved watching him play with the team. It does kind of suck how we parted ways and I hope he can come back and take a coaching role so he can help Mikel develop.

[diskoviolente 425]

Unbelievable how disrespectful Real was against Maka.

The season they bought him, they had been the best team for three years on...

[Badboy 1,526]

Best defensive midfielder in our history and probably english football. The maka role proves it lol ^_^