9 Players Real Madrid Probably Regret Selling

4. Claude Makelele

''Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine?'' - Zinedine Zidane, 2003.

When the captain of the French team and one of the greatest players of all time can spot a fundamental mistake in the transfer policy at the club, one might want to take heed. Zidane certainly had a point, as the pivotal anchor who helped to break down opposing attacks was ousted for not being skilful enough, in favour of the more crowd-pleasing and effervescent David Beckham. Indicative of Real Madrid's transfer policy over the years, it was exactly this sort of stupidity in focusing on a plethora of attackers at the expense of the defensive aspect, which left them salivating for a tenth European Cup for 13 years. In a parting barb, Madrid president Florentino Perez had lamented the 'average technique' of the defensive midfielder, citing his inability to 'pass the ball more than three metres'. Claude Makelele may not play with the sultry fluidity that the Madridistas pine for, but that doesn't mean that his impact was any less influential. It was this sort of short-termism thinking that had Fabio Capello sacked seven years ago for his rigidity, despite wrestling the La Liga title from the clutches of Barcelona. Makelele is the epitomy of stability - everything that Real Madrid does not represent. Going through managers like they were going out of fashion, the Frenchman put his callous rejection to one side and went about breaking up attacks at Stamford Bridge, establishing himself as a core element of Jose Mourinho glorious first era at the club. Madrid have since realised the error of their ways, and have gone about trying to eradicate their mistake, by signing tough-tackling midfielders such as Thomas Gravesen, Lassano Diarra and Sami Khedira. By then, of course, it was too late. Not one of them could hold a light to the man who created the 'Makelele Role'.