Of Roman Abramovichs first wave of signings, French midfielder Claude Makelele was by the most important. The anchor and fulcrum of the team, he kept the Blues ticking over with his effective ball-winning ability. It may not have been pretty or one for the football purists, but what Makelele did for the Chelsea side of the mid-00s was integral to their title triumphs, as it allowed the likes of Damien Duff, Frank Lampard and Arjen Robben the freedom to push on and exercise their obvious goal-scoring abilities. It was certainly a transfer coup to land the combustive Frenchman from Real Madrid, with Chelsea only just gaining their financial muscle in the same window as Madrids president Florentino Perez inane decision to sell him, lambasting his average technique and the fact that 90% of his distribution goes backwards. Galactico Zinedine Zidane summed up Madrids idiotic decision to sell their unfashionable cog in favour of a prettier attacking outlet in David Beckham, posing the question - why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine? Proclaiming that he would be the battery of the team, Ranieri swooped for the defensive superstar in a £16.8 million deal. Makelele would make over 200 appearances for the Blues, and scoop six trophies, while Madrid were forced to endure a four-year title drought. Not even the most decorated club in the world can function without a battery.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
