Makelele retiring

[The Moos]

Just read this on chelseafc.com

MAKELELE CALLS IT A DAYFormer Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele has announced he will retire from football at the end of the season.

'Maka', who won two Premier League titles during his five-year stay at Stamford Bridge, is currently captain of Paris St. Germain, whom he joined from the Blues on a free transfer in the summer of 2008.

Now 37, Makelele believes it is time to call it a day at the end of the current campaign.

'It's really my last season. My future is behind me. Today it's my last season, but tomorrow that could change,' he said, hinting that he could still be swayed.

Having heard rumours earlier in the season, both John Terry and Frank Lampard have sent wishes of support to their former team-mate.

Chelsea's captain and vice-captain have paid their own tributes to the anchorman, who played 217 times in Chelsea colours, scoring twice. Makelele began his career with Nantes and had spells with Marseille, Celta Vigo and Real Madrid before becoming one of Roman Abramovich's first signings in the summer of 2003.

John Terry

For me, Maka is one of the best players I played with and since he left I realised how good he is. The role he played, he broke up so much play, gave the ball over 10, 15 yards, tackled well and was good in the air for such a small man.

He was a really nice guy to have around the dressing room, with a lot of experience as well. He was one of the older players in the team but worked very hard in training and everyone loved him, he will always be welcome back here.

He didn't just come in and worry about himself, he worried about everyone else and tried to improve them as well.

Frank Lampard

Good luck to him in his new career, whatever it is. He was a fantastic partner, the best midfield player I have played with in my career, and more than that a great man so I wish him success for the future.

He was so easy to work with because he was a friend, very funny off the pitch and a winner on it, so he was a perfect team-mate. He brought a very strong mentality to the club when he arrived from Real Madrid, where he won big things.

He always offered advice and set a standard with the way he played. He helped me greatly in my career.

Is it just me or is Makelele perhaps one of the most underrated players in history? Whenever you read about superstars, you read about Ronaldo, Kaka, Beckham, Drogba, Rooney, Zidane etc.

You never read about Makelele. Yet, he has brought success everywhere. It's basically only the players who really appreciated how brilliant he really was.

When Gerrard was asked who the best and toughest opponent he had played against he said Makelele. One of the few great things Gerrard has every said

Personally I've always been a fan of Makelele and I have to say that reading that he will retire makes me a bit sad.

I really hope he'll come back as a coach or something and perhaps returns to Chelsea to teach the young lads all he knows. Perhaps could give Mikel some extra training as well

Here's to Makelele - the best defensive midfielder the world has ever seen

 

[dkw]

goodbye Chelsea`s tripod,

Though I never knew you at all

You had the grace to hold yourself

While those around you crawled

They crawled out of the woodwork

And they whispered into your brain

They set you on the treadmill

And they made you change your name

 

[steve25cfc]

Just read this on chelseafc.comIs it just me or is Makelele perhaps one of the most underrated players in history? Whenever you read about superstars, you read about Ronaldo, Kaka, Beckham, Drogba, Rooney, Zidane etc.

You never read about Makelele. Yet, he has brought success everywhere. It's basically only the players who really appreciated how brilliant he really was.

When Gerrard was asked who the best and toughest opponent he had played against he said Makelele. One of the few great things Gerrard has every said

Personally I've always been a fan of Makelele and I have to say that reading that he will retire makes me a bit sad.

I really hope he'll come back as a coach or something and perhaps returns to Chelsea to teach the young lads all he knows. Perhaps could give Mikel some extra training as well

Here's to Makelele - the best defensive midfielder the world has ever seen

love to see him back at chelsea, one of my favourite moments when he missed pen & netted the rebound. great player

 

[Makelele's Ukelele]

A truly world class player, and unfortunately one that we have never really replaced.

I used to love that cheeky look he had whenever he was pulled up on a foul. Butter wouldnt melt

 

[Alex]

Not sure about under rated......how many other players have a position named after them.

But i do agree that attacking players get a lot more limelight than defensive players.

 

[Barry Bridges]

Not sure about under rated......how many other players have a position named after them.But i do agree that attacking players get a lot more limelight than defensive players.

Only fools and people who talk, but dont know football, under rate him.

 

[BlueDay]

His footballing brain was a huge gift. One of the smartest players to grace the game.

I dont think we will see a defensive midfielder as good as him for a long time.

 

[MHedges]

His footballing brain was a huge gift. One of the smartest players to grace the game.I dont think we will see a defensive midfielder as good as him for a long time.

Agreed, and I don't think the world will see a defensive midfielder as good as him for a long time.

 

[Mod]

A quality player who changed our team. I thought his exit from Chelsea was all very quiet and low key which surprised me.

I wonder what he will do now with his time.

 

[bjd]

A quality player who changed our team. I thought his exit from Chelsea was all very quiet and low key which surprised me.I wonder what he will do now with his time.

If he has any sense he will spend every second of his new found time with his missus. Her from the M&S ads.

 

[paraphil]

The only player I ever watched who always played with that big grin on his face.

A class act and true Chelsea legend.

Here's to you, 'Maka'. Enjoy your retirement, you deserve it.

 

[bjd]

The only player I ever watched who always played with that big grin on his face.A class act and true Chelsea legend.

Mustve missed a certain Sardinian then!

But your sentiments are bang on.

 

[bluevale2]

I really hope he'll come back as a coach or something and perhaps returns to Chelsea to teach the young lads all he knows. Perhaps could give Mikel some extra training as well

That might not be a bad idea!

Happy retirement Maka, you truly are a world-class player

 

[just]

My most enduring memory of him is playing for Real Madrid against ManUre in the quater final of the CL. Over those two legs he made Roy Keane his personal bitch. Everytime Mr. Mental got the ball, Maka just took it off him. If he hadn't been injured for the subsequent semi-final Madrid would have pissed the CL that season.

A truly world class player.

 

[Maksimov]

One of my favorite Maka moments is from a match against Liverpool in which he totally marked Crouch out of the game. He just wasn't getting near the ball, not even the crosses. Somehow Maka was able to keep him away from the ball and Crouch kept complaining to the referee that Maka was somehow breaking the rules, but Maka just kept on grinning and got on with his game.

 

[The Moos]

One of my favorite Maka moments is from a match against Liverpool in which he totally marked Crouch out of the game. He just wasn't getting near the ball, not even the crosses. Somehow Maka was able to keep him away from the ball and Crouch kept complaining to the referee that Maka was somehow breaking the rules, but Maka just kept on grinning and got on with his game.

It's kinda hilarious to imagine Maka have Crouch in his pocket. I mean, look at the size of the players. Not even if you add the size of Makas penis can he reach Crouch's hight :scarfcfc:

My favourite moment just has to be the penalty he scored on. Not only had he practised penalties before the game, missing everyone I've heard, but be missed the one in the game as well and didn't even get a clean shot off on the rebound, but managed to touch the ball so it bounced over the keeper. The best thing was however the reaction from the rest of the team. I mean, it wasn't a trophy winning goal, but almost every Chelsea player/staff (on and off the bench) just rushed to congratulate him. I can't remember seeing so much happiness for a goal before or after that one. Amazing.

 

[mad_mac]

Not sure about under rated......how many other players have a position named after them.But i do agree that attacking players get a lot more limelight than defensive players.

Totally agree Alex,

I remember when he arrived chatting to a few of the folk on here at a couple of games and we were all "what do you make of Makelele?"

Lots of "unsure, he seems to only pass sideways, etc." However, the more you watched him the more you realised just how effective he was. Don't be fooled by the all out attacking players, Makelele was integral in us winning what we won with him in the team!

As you say, I've never heard a winger being called the "Ronaldo, or Beckham, role!"

Great man, and glad to see him retiring gracefuly at 37

 

[Riccardo]

My favourite memory of Maka was the game (or the game after) we won our first premiership, and he was subbed in the 85th minute, to be greeted by an enormous bear hug from Jose on the side line. He played the full 90 minutes every game, and was only subbed on that occasion to have the opportunity to be individually applauded by the fans. That gesture surely demonstrated how important he was thought of by Jose. Absolute freaking legend.

 

[MHL_blue]

Thank you Maka for all that you've done for us. We've missed you since you left and you'll always be a Chelsea legend. Let us know when you're going to visit the Bridge next time and I'll be there to greet you.

Best of luck on whatever you decide to do - preferably a coaching role with us.

Now take a bow