6. Claude Makelele
Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport
Club: Chelsea What can be said about Claude Makelele that hasnt been said time and time again already? The guy was a genius, and a true master at what he did, effectively inventing the holding midfield role (in English football at least) and setting the precedent for what it takes to be truly world class in that position. When Claudio Ranieri brought Makelele to Chelsea for £16.8million in 2003 alongside the likes of Damien Duff and Hernan Crespo, he perhaps wasnt the most high-profile signing of the lot, as Chelsea fans got excited about the influx of attacking talent amongst Roman Abramovichs spending-spree. In fact, it was Makeleles supreme discipline which allowed the likes of Duff, Crespo, Frank Lampard, Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba to fire the Blues to two league titles during the Frenchmans time at the club. Chelseas whole system was centred around Makelele and allowing him to dictate the tempo of a game, whilst also being the one to break up play when the opposition attacked and he was quite frankly faultless at performing both roles. Such was Makeleles defensive restraint at Chelsea that he hadnt scored a single goal during his first two seasons at the club that was until he was allowed to take a penalty against Charlton after Mourinhos men had already secured the Premier League title. The former Real Madrid man even missed the spot kick, but bundled the ball home on the rebound to the delight of the fans and his teammates.