Claude Makelele "The Show Stopper"

It’s been over two years since Makelele arrived at Stamford Bridge and all he has to show for it just one goal? Well that’s where people fail to notice how important a player like Makelele is in any team. It was Chelsea’s Ex-Manager Ranieri with the backing of owner Roman Abramovich, who persuaded Makelele to swap El Bernabeu for Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2003 (for £16.6m.) Ranieri believes the player's former club have not been the same since losing the French Man.

 

Ranieri believes the result (0 – 3) of the game where Real Madrid where trashed at home at the hands of title contenders Barcelona would have been different if Makelele was still playing for the Spanish giants.

 

However Ranieri takes all credit for Makelele’s move to the Bridge “I was the person who convinced Makelele to sign for Chelsea," Ranieri told El Rondo.

"He is the key in the field because he stops the rivals and then initiates the game for his side. Real have never recovered from the loss of Makelele. From that moment the Spanish club have had many problems on the field."

 

Ranieri insists his Chelsea successor Jose Mourinho is fortunate to have Makelele at his disposal, describing him as an "ideal type of player." for any club in the world.

 

Chelsea will be without the services of the midfielder for at least 3 weeks; Michael Essien who is capable of playing any role across the midfield is most likely to take his place (he did do an excellent job in the Anderlecht game.) Under-21 French international Lassana Diarra (who looks like his idol too) could be given the green signal too.

 

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