Loading ...Jul 21 2008
PSG Nabs Makelele, Continues Veteran Build-Up
When Paris St. Germain acquired Ludovic Giuly from AS Roma last week, I speculated that this was the beginning of the PSG veteran build-up that has been expected all summer. Today, the Parisian club acquired Claude Makelele from Chelsea, bringing the French holding midfielder back to Le Championnat for the first time in ten years. In the intervening decade, Makelele forged a reputation as the best defensive midfielder in the world, the best lock-down player for the middle of the pitch. In the last eight years split between Real Madrid and Stamford Bridge, Makelele has been part of four league winning sides, all while holding down a similar role for France.
Had Makelele returned to Chelsea, he would have been fighting for time in a crowded midfield, with the acquisition of Deco and the retaining of Frank Lampard making it difficult for manager Luiz Felipe Scolari to keep all of the club’s start midfielders in the lineup. With players like Michael Essien and Michael Ballack potentially playing a deeper role in Scolari’s system, Makelele would be facing competition from more than just John Obi Mikel for his spot. At thirty-five, having retired from international play and transitioning into the last phase of this career, a move back home to try and revitalize the struggling Parisian club makes sense.
Makelele has started to show his age over the last season-plus, contributing almost nothing in the attacking half and playing deeper than most players in the hole. Still, he was a disruptive force of opposing squads relying on playing through the middle as a main component in attack. Without him, a player like John Terry is going to have to adjust to not having that filter in front of him. For PSG, Makelele should provide a stabalizing influence, allowing the team to avoid some of the trials their relegation battle subjected them to last season.
Quotes
“It’s a very important challenge for me. I’ll try to bring my experience. I’ll give my best, as I have done everywhere else.” - Makelele
“I hope that we’ll have a better season than the last one. I wanted to come to Paris so badly that Chelsea accepted to let me go.” - Makelele
“I’m no messiah, but a messenger. I will give the maximum as I always did in the past.” - Makelele
“It’s a personal record that stands alongside any in our history.” - Chelsea FC
“I’ll try to bring my experience. I’ll give my very best, as I have done everywhere else.” - Makelele
Links
Makelele ready for PSG test
I’m no messiah - Makelele
Makelele joins Paris St Germain from Chelsea
Chelsea’s Makelele joins PSG
Makelele leavs Chelsea for Paris-Saint Germain
Makelele leaves Blues for PSG
Makelele leaves Chelsea to link up with PSG
Makelele leaves Chelsea for PSG
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