posted Jul 21, 2008

taken from wikepedia:

However, despite his value to the team, Makélélé was one of its most influential players of that time (relatively) under-paid members, earning a fraction of that paid to team-mates like Zinédine Zidane, Luís Figo, Raul, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Steve McManaman, and Guti. In the summer of 2003, feeling that his position at the club was insecure after the shock sacking of Del Bosque and the arrival of David Beckham, and encouraged by team-mates Zidane, Raul, McManaman and Fernando Morientes, Makélélé decided to ask for an improved contract. The Real management flatly refused to consider his request [1]. Upset, Makélélé handed in a transfer request, whereupon he was signed by Chelsea. Club president Florentino Pérez infamously poured scorn on Makélélé's footballing abilities and proclaimed that Makélélé would not be missed:

“ We will not miss Makélélé. His technique is average, he lacks the speed and skill to take the ball past opponents, and ninety percent of his distribution either goes backwards or sideways. He wasn't a header of the ball and he rarely passed the ball more than three metres. Younger players will arrive who will cause Makelele to be forgotten. [2] ”

His opinion differred from that of players like Zinedine Zidane, who remarked the following after Makélélé' was sold and Beckham was bought:

“ Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine? ”

In his autobiography, published in 2006, McManaman described Makélélé as the most important and yet least appreciated midfielder at Real. Retired former Real Madrid player and captain Fernando Hierro also criticised Perez for both Makélélé's departure and the manner of his departure, saying:

“ I think Claude has this kind of gift - he's been the best player in the team for years but people just don't notice him, don't notice what he does. But you ask anyone at Real Madrid during the years we were talking about and they will tell you he was the best player at Real. We all knew, the players all knew he was the most important. The loss of Makélélé was the beginning of the end for Los Galacticos... You can see that it was also the beginning of a new dawn for Chelsea. He was the base, the key and I think he is the same to Chelsea now. [3]

he was so hard done by..
its so good that he stuck the knife back in real madrid ....
by showing what a true talent he is !!!!!

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posted Jul 21, 2008

In March 2006, Fulham defeated Chelsea 1–0 in a Premiership game in which Fulham manager Chris Coleman's tactics centered on bypassing Makélélé on the wings when Fulham had possession and putting midfielders on Makélélé when Chelsea were in possession. With Makélélé struggling to function effectively, Chelsea lost the game. Coleman later explained that Makélélé was more than a mere defensive midfielder, but was actually Chelsea's deep-lying playmaker, and Chelsea's attacks were channelled through him. Thus, denying him possession was instrumental in unravelling Chelsea. Mourinho was subsequently forced to counter this tactic by withdrawing Lampard and Michael Essien further back in midfield to relieve the pressure on Makélélé [5].

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posted Jul 21, 2008

Chelski midfielders , Fat Frank in particular, might have to get there knees dirty while learning how to tackle.

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posted Jul 22, 2008

"reply to LiverBirdMate

"Isnt the 'V' mentioned in the lists of best holding central midfielder suppose to be Vieira, not Viera?"

1. Isnt should be Isn't or is not
2. lists of best holding central midfielder should be list of best holding central midfielders

Be careful with stones if you live in a glass house... this is a sport board not a spelling or language one."

What?? The numerous miscomprehensions, spelling errors, grammar errors, omitted punctuations, that occur daily on this board from other members, very little of which is of myself practically down to rushed typing, and you want to play Sunday schoolteacher with me??

You do deserve a .

I spelt 'mentioned', 'holding', 'central', and 'midfielder' right, don't (and that's 'don't', not dont!) I get a gold star for that at least??

Sheeesh!

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posted Jul 22, 2008

I think Michael Essien has the potential to better Makelele provided he can improve on his defensive awareness,tackling and passing capabilites.
Michael Essien is fitter and more pacey than Makalele and i mean this while comparing them at their prime.
Imagine a central midfielder whom defenders will fear as a goalscorer. Makalele might have been a great defensive midfielder but he was never a good goalscorer.

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posted Jul 22, 2008

This formation would be the best

Drogba

J Cole David Villa

Ballack/Lampard

ObiMikel MichaelEssien

Acole RCarvalho Terry PFerraira

Cech

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posted Jul 22, 2008

what about your expensive right back??

the one who was supposed to solve your right back problems..Bosingwa.

and what about deco..

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posted Jul 22, 2008

Good Luck Maka.

Can you imaging the tight ar-es at ARSEnal letting a player like Maka go on a free. !

Quality player who made the defensive midfielder position his own.

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posted Jul 22, 2008

he is the greatest player to have played in that position and I am sure he will be for some time to come. A very good professional on and off the field. I am afraid anyone who questions his level of performance has no knowledge about football.
Thank you Makelele for all your services with chelsea and thank you to chelsea as well for letting him go in the manner which they have done.

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posted Jul 30, 2008

Makélélé isn't appreciated enough.
He is a great player and off-the-ball work is the majority of that.
Michael Essien often plays defensive rolls as well as midfield, so why not try him out for cdm?

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