Makalele To Leave Chelsea?

[yogic]

Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele has agreed to move to Paris Saint Germain, according to French radio station RMC.

The news will be a surprise to the Stamford Bridge fans as, despite being a veteran, the 35-year-old has been a popular and key figure for Chelsea in the last five years.

The Parc des Princes outfit approached Makelele for the first time in summer 2007, but the midfielder decided against returning to France.

It appears the former France star, who announced his international retirement following Les Bleus’ elimination at Euro 2008, is ready to embark on a final challenge with PSG.

Paris’ new president Charles Villeneuve wants the club to bounce back after two catastrophic seasons and signing domestic stars Makelele and Lilian Thuram is reportedly his priority.

An announcement is yet to be made by Chelsea or Paris Saint Germain, who were unavailable for comment when contacted by setantasports.com.

It has also been reported that France reserve Jimmy Briand, currently playing for Rennes, has also agreed a summer move to PSG.

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[JT26CFC]

if this is true, then it's comming as a real suprise to me. Didn't think maka had a desire to leave chelsea

[kalpitv]

Yeah, exactly what I think.

But this way, he gets an oppurtunity to play the last few years of his career in his homeland - France. And it is perfectly okay for any player to want this.

However, I have always hoped that he stays on and turns into a player-coach with Chelsea, as it woud help Obi Mikel's development.

[Scottish-Chelsea]

if this is true, then it's comming as a real suprise to me. Didn't think maka had a desire to leave chelsea

Heard he has retired from international football.

[Alan]

I'd be very upset if this is true. Maka is a legend and a class footballer, he'd be a big miss.

[TheWestwayWonder]

If this is the case, Im sad to hear it, but I knew this day would come and I can hardly blame him. He has played in Madrid, London and now will go to Paris having won virtually every major domestic and european honor under the sun. Hell, the guy has a position on the field named after him. It doesnt get much better than that.

Definitely a modern Chelsea legend in my view (though thats hardly a bold statement) and I dont think anyone bar Jose and obviously Roman was more instrumental in our success these past few years. He was a great great buy and is an excellent servant

I know its just a rumor, but I kinda hope this is true either now or in the future. I like PSG alot and hope he can put them back where they belong.

MAKA

[loz]

I think the time is right for Maka to move on. I have nothing but admiration for him as a player and it has been a pleasure seeing him pulling on a blue shirt but I think last season he was starting to show a few signs of struggling to play at the highest level and that will probably get worse in the coming season.

Also we need to look to the future and that future is Mikel in a less defensive role. Furthermore we have a new manager coming in and Maka leaving will make it easier to change the style of football we play.

[coombsie]

Nobody will leave Chelsea without Big Phill's say-so.

He will sit down with each and every Blues player to establish whether they want away, have the hunger etc etc. but not until after the Euros. Therefore this is yet more propaganda.

At 35, Maka can only play one game in every two or three, that may just make up Big Phill's mind

[Qaz]

I think the time is right for Maka to move on. I have nothing but admiration for him as a player and it has been a pleasure seeing him pulling on a blue shirt but I think last season he was starting to show a few signs of struggling to play at the highest level and that will probably get worse in the coming season.

Also we need to look to the future and that future is Mikel in a less defensive role. Furthermore we have a new manager coming in and Maka leaving will make it easier to change the style of football we play.

Yes Loz, but weren't we saying the same thing last summer?, Makelele went on to be a productive player for us.

I beleive if we are judging purely on ability then Makelele was good for one more season, however its arguable that Makelele was on a fairly chunky contract (though still lower than others at the club) and perhaps moving him on was what made Chelsea choose to let him off our books.

[icecoolguy22]

I see no problem with maka leaving. I dont think he will get more than 20 games a year based on what happend this season. He may want a full season of football before he retires, and he wont get it with us..

[evissy]

I see no problem with maka leaving. I dont think he will get more than 20 games a year based on what happend this season. He may want a full season of football before he retires, and he wont get it with us..

Same here. Besides Maka porbably a) want's to go back to France and :lol: doesn't have the desire to go through a what is going to be a really tough season. I bet Scolari puts the players through hard training. He is already 35 and has give everything there is to give to Chelsea.

+Mikel needs to play on a regular basis.

[Nibs]

I agree with Loz. Maka has been brilliant for us, no doubt. But all good things come to an end and at 35 he is hardly the future.

Time for fresh legs & new ideas.

[dkw]

i think now is the time to move on for maka. hes been magnificent for us, but he has looked very tired this season. looks to me like his legs have gone, and the position of dm needs an energetic, atheletic player. nows the time to step aside and hand over the crown. his legacy will be that he had a position named after him. so thanks maka for everything youve given at the bridge, and good luck in whatever you do next.

[Mr Chelsea]

i will be sorry to see him go

he's been fantastic for us, and will surley be somewhere near the top of the list of chelsea greats, and maybe even the legends list

but

didnt i read somewhere not so long back that he had signed an extension to his contract, with a clause to coach at some level

[Paul Seery]

It would be sad to lose a player of Makelele's quality, but the time is right for him to move on and also for Chelsea to build for the future also.

[Johan Gruyff]

WHAT?!?!?! Where did you here this?! If this is true and Drogba goes and a huge transformation in the summer, play this team:

-----------------------Cech

----Bosingwa----Terry--Carvalho------A.Cole

-----------------------Essien

------------Lampard---------Ballack

---------------------Deco

----------David Villa-------Di Santo

[Gem]

Dang that team looks good...

[Marc]

WHAT?!?!?! Where did you here this?! If this is true and Drogba goes and a huge transformation in the summer, play this team:

-----------------------Cech

----Bosingwa----Terry--Carvalho------A.Cole

-----------------------Essien

------------Lampard---------Ballack

---------------------Deco

----------David Villa-------Di Santo

Not particuarly a fan of that, Essien loves to bomb forward, Lampard and Ballack playing the same role isn't good, as well as having a Deco playmaker would totally not work as a midfield.

[Jimboola69]

If it is the right thing for Maka than I will just give him thanks and wish him well upon his way. To the best of my knowlege he is one of very few French (or lived in France for a long time...ie Drogba) players who have not 'dissed' us in the press!

I wish him only well.

[Blair Blue]

Makele's likely departure/ageing process makes last year's decision (presumably Jose's) to let Diarra leave for Arsenal all the more regrettable. That was a major blunder. Diarra would have been an ideal replacement for Makele.

I am still unsure about Mikel and in any case we need two players per position to provide cover for injuries and suspension (the latter happening far too often with Mikel).

[Jimboola69]

I think Diarra leaving had as much to do with his attitude and demeaner as anything else. I think it worked out best for all parties.

[ozboy]

Maka will be a huge loss and we have no replacement for him. Nevertheless at 35 his time at CFC is clearly coming to an end.

A fantastic servant to the club I will always recall not only his tremendous play but also his attitude and spirit.

Clearly a good holding midfielder is required, Essien is not a holding midfielder, I suppose Mikel might be.

[Qaz]

Albelda appears to be a possible replacement with Mikel taking over the role as first choice.

[Marc]

I dont rate Mikel as a holding midfielder, he drifts onto being more of a deep lying playmaker, like Pirlo, rather than someone to protect the defence.

[mad_mac]

this is all only really relevant if we were to continue to play a defensive midfielder anyway! Has Scolari ever played with a holding midfieled, or more two deeper laying midfielders? I don't know, which is why I am asking.

Maka was a great assett to us, but if he wants to move on, and go back home, I can''t blame him. He is a great player, and suited our/ jose's system well. However, I am not convinced he would be used as much under Scolari, even if he could play 20 games a season.

Thanks Maka