Birth Date: Feb 18 1973
Birth Place: Kinshasa
Birth Nation: Congo
Height: 170cm
Weight: 65Kg
Nationality: French
Position: Midfielder
Claude Makelele is a French international but was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His father had been an international for Zaire. Makelele won the French first division during his years with FC Nantes Atlantiqu (1993-1997) before moving to Olympique de Marseille (1997/1998) and then to Celta Vigo for ?2.4 million (1998-2000) After RC Celta de Vigo, Makelele joined Real Madrid CF in the summer of 2000.
Claude Makelele Rumours and Transfers
17 08 2007
David Trezeguet was recalled to the France team inspite of a recent outburst against Raymond Domenech.
Trezeguet had rapped Domenech for his comments on match fixing and Italy, in what was a rather surprising comment from a player directed at his coach.
"I read what he [Domenech] mentioned and my God I was annoyed," Trezeguet had said. "What a disgrace. By talking like that, Domenech has damaged the country of France and most of all the world of football. He talks for the sake of talking."
However, he has found a place in the 34-strong team named by Domenech for next week's friendly against Slovakia.
Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira have also been named after only only returning from respective injuries.
"The goal of this is to come together, to reset our goals and to mobilize everyone in order to qualify for the Euro 2008," Domenech said.
France face Italy and Scotland in 2 vital Euro 2008 qualifiers in September.
Defenders, Eric Abidal (FC Barcelona), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Juve), Francois Clerc (Lyon), Patrice Evra (Man. Utd.), William Gallas (Arsenal), Gael Givet (Marseille), Philippe Mexes (Roma), Reveillere (Lyon), Bakary Sagna (Arsenal), Sebastien Squillaci (Lyon), Lilian Thuram (FC Barcelona), Jonathan Zebina (Juve).
Midfielders, Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Chelsea), Claude Makelele (Chelsea), Rio Mavuba (Villarreal), Samir Nasri (Marseille), Jerome Rothen (PSG), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon), Patrick Vieira (Inter Milan).
Forwards, Nicolas Anelka (Bolton), Karim Benzema (Lyon), Jimmy Briand (Rennes), Djibril Cisse (Marseille), Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Frederic Piquionne (Monaco), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), David Trezeguet (Juve).
16 08 2007
Forward Thierry Henry and midfielder Patrick Vieira will return to France duty for an international football friendly against Slovakia on August 22, coach Raymond Domenech said Thursday.
The duo were named by Domenech along with David Trezeguet and Philippe Mexes in a 35 man team which also includes players who will compete in a B team friendly against the Slovaks on August 21.
Hit by injuries, France's top scorer Henry (leg) and captain Vieira (hamstring) last played in a 1-0 friendly loss to Argentina on February 7 at Stade de France.
Since then Henry has transferred to FC Barcelona where he completed all his pre season training and Vieira has also returned to training at Inter Milan.
The return of Trezeguet and Mexes comes as a surprise, however.
Juve forward Trezeguet has not featured since the Argentina match and Roma defender Mexes, was overlooked for the last 2 Euro 2008 qualifiers against the Ukraine (2-0) and Georgia (1-0).
Both were very vocal over the past week in the criticism of Domenech for his allegations of match fixing in Italian football.
Defenders, Eric Abidal (FC Barcelone/ESP), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Juve/ITA), Francois Clerc (Lyon), Patrice Evra (Man Utd/ENG), William Gallas (Arsenal/ENG), Bakary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Sebastien Squillaci (Lyon), Lilian Thuram (FC Barcelona/ESP), Gael Givet (Marseille), Philippe Mexes (AS Rome/ITA), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Jonathan Zebina (Juve/ITA)
Midfielders, Abou Diaby (Arsenal/ENG), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Chelsea/ENG), Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal/ENG), Claude Makelele (Chelsea/ENG), Rio Mavuba (Villarreal/ESP), Samir Nasri (Marseille), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Jerome Rothen (Paris SG), Patrick Vieira (Inter Milan/ITA)
Strikers, Nicolas Anelka (Bolton/ENG), Karim Benzema (Lyon), Jimmy Briand (Rennes), Djibril Cisse (Marseille), Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona/ESP), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ENG), Frederic Piquionne (Monaco), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER), David Trezeguet (Juve Turin/ITA)
14 08 2007
Jose Mourinho has lost Michael Essien from his Chelsea midfield again due to a knee injury which will sideline him for up to 10 days.
The Ghana international will miss Wednesday's trip to Reading and Sunday's game at Liverpool after damaging ligaments in the triumph against Birmingham.
He scored final goal of the 3-2 triumph against Steve Bruce's side 2 days ago and looked a real force after being restored to the Chelsea midfield.
Essien was one of Mourinho's key players last term however spent much of it filling in at the back and the pace and power he offers further forward was missed.
He has not had the best fortune with injuries, damaging knee ligaments last season and others in his ankle in the summer however this is a consequence of his all action style.
Mourinho at least has a lot of cover, with Steve Sidwell pushing for a place against his former club Reading tomorrow and Claude Makelele and John Obi Mikel also in contention.
For Petr Cech it will be a difficult trip, returning to the Madejski Stadium for the 1st time since he broken his skull there under the challenge of Stephen Hunt last October and required brain surgery.
But the goalie says he can handle it, saying, "I knew as soon as I re-started playing that one day I must go back to Reading. I got injured there and I must go back and play the game again however I have no problem with that. That is the past and I am looking to the future. I do not remember anything from the game or the day there so maybe I will enjoy the whole game there for the 1st time."
Freak incidents that day left Cech and later his replacement, Carlo Cudicini, requiring hospital treatment and Chelsea later raised issues about how emergencies are handled at games.
A working party that included their club doctor Bryan English was subsequently established and new measures have now been introduced.
Key among them is the requirement that an ambulance specifically for players and officials must be at all stadiums on matchdays this season.
14 08 2007
8 days after personally informing reporters at the Community Shield that he could be out of action for a month, John Terry made a surprise return to training Monday.
The Chelski and England captain was spotted joining in light training at his club's Cobham training ground.
Although Terry remains out of contention to feature in Wednesday's match at Reading, the alleged 'injury crisis' that was supposedly poised to wreck Chelski's season has given way to a tricky selection dilemma for Jose Mourinho.
Didier Drogba, Paulo Ferreira and Claude Makelele have all been passed fit to play after taking a full part in training, whilst Joe Cole is pushing for a recall after being an unused substitute for the triumph over Birmingham. New addition Alex is also likely to be named in the Chelski party that travels to the Madjeski Stadium.
Mourinho's most pressing choice will be whether to hand Drogba a recall in a 4-3-3 formation.
"It is a different game so maybe different choices," he informed The Daily Telegraph. "But basically I think this is a moment where players need to play. I am not going to make a complete rotation like I would do if we are in February or March with Champions League games around the corner, that is not the situation."
05 08 2007
Chelsea FC were struck by a triple injury blow only a week before the start of the new English Premier League season with Didier Drogba, John Terry and Claude Makelele all sidelined.
England captain John Terry and French international midfielder Makelele both pulled out of training on Saturday with defender Terry potentially out for a month with knee ligament damage.
Both players missed Chelsea's match against Man Utd FC in the traditional season curtain-raiser, the Community Shield at Wembley, as did forward Didier Drogba.
Terry, 26, is also a serious doubt for England's friendly against Germany on 22 August and the UEFA EURO 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia next month. Chelsea start their league campaign against Birmingham FC next Sunday.
28 07 2007
Paris St. Germain coach Paul Le Guen says that he is interested in signing Chelsea's Claude Makelele.
Makelele's future at Chelsea was the subject of speculation all summer as he has yet to agree a new deal.
The France international admitted that he is unsure of his future at Chelsea with the experienced midfielder not guaranteed a place in Jose Mourinho's star studded line-up.
A number of clubs across Europe are monitoring Makelele's position and are ready to offer him a route out of Stamford Bridge.
PSG were strongly linked with the former Real Madrid player as they look to bring in some high profile signings.
Le Guen admitted that he is huge admirer of Makelele's however concedes any move depends on probable departures from the Parc Des Princes.
"I am not following the Claude Makelele evolution for several days. I am following his career for 15 or 20 years," Le Guen informed L'Equipe.
"It is difficult to say if he will join us in the summer. I repeat it will depend on probable departures. If Marcelo Gallardo stays with us, I will rely on him. He will be a player like the others, under competition."
Le Guen also admitted that he was a fan of Lyon's unsettled forward Sylvain Wiltord, however will not pursue the former Arsenal man.
"We have not necessarily terminated our reinforcements. Considering probable departures, we can still hire players," added Le Guen.
"Of course, I appreciate Sylvain Wiltord's profile. However, today we have players in the positions he would play. So let's said it is not topical."
24 07 2007
Nigerian born midfielder 'Sunny' Stephen has claimed he snubbed Liverpool to join Valencia.
The highly rated Spain U20 international moved to Los Che from Segunda Division side Polideportivo Ejido in the summer on a 6 year contract, and the midfielder would hardly be happier.
"I have come here with lots of expects and desires and the only thing I would like to do is continue working. It is a dream come true to be here. I am very proud do be under the orders of Quique (Sanchez Flores)," the 18 year old said.
"Valencia were interested in me so I did not want to listen to other offers that I had. I am very grateful. I had an offer from Liverpool. The best thing for me is to continue in Spain and learn."
Whether Sunny will be involved with Valencia's 1st team next season remains to be seen, with the possibility of him being sent out on loan.
Sunny, who was likened to a young Claude Makelele, admitted that he would prefer to remain at the Mestalla, however will be happy to do whatever coach Flores thinks is best.
"I would like to remain here, however this depends on the coach," mentioned the teenager.
19 06 2007
Jose Mourinho says Spurs will be among the 5 teams chasing the Barclays Premier League title next season.
The Portuguese coach would like to regain the crown he won during the 1st 2 years of his stay at Chelsea however warns that Martin Jol's side have done enough to ensure they will be title contenders next season.
Spurs have finished 5th in the last 2 seasons however Mourinho is shrewd enough to include them within the group of clubs capable of winning the league next term.
Mourinho informed Chelsea's official magazine, "I think 5 teams will be fighting for the title. I put Spurs there because they have a group of good players and I do not know why they do not belong to the fight. We are confident. We have a team spirit, we have a philosophy and we have a young group because only Claude Makelele is 34 so we will be ready for another big season. If somebody tells me over the next 5 years of my career I will triumph 4 championships again I will be happy. I cannot triumph 10 out of 10 so I accept it. I use the words I am happy we are not happy because it means the motivation is here. I look forward to the next season, no problem."
Mourinho also thinks that Chelsea's 2 title triumphs raised the level of competition with the English game, typified by United's success.
He added, "What I saw was before we won our 2 titles, everybody was saying that the Premier League is like a marathon. However, a marathon is running at a low pace. And I think people realise that after we won these 2 Premier Leagues with so lots of games won and so lots of points, this is not a marathon. It is a very long sprint because it is unbelievable we finished 2nd and we lost only 3 matches. I think we raised the level of the competition by winning so much. The number of points, the number of victories, it was fantastic what we did."
The Chelsea coach is looking forward to their pre season campaign, which starts in America next month, even though he will still be without one or 2 key players.
Mourinho continued, "The new pre season will be not perfect however almost perfect. I think for 60 games played in a season, 6 weeks' holiday could be more adapted to the requires of the players' bodies and minds. And to be completely perfect we should start the season with every player and I am not sure of that because we have some surgeries during this period and I cannot guarantee that, for example, Ashley Cole, Ricardo Carvalho and so most of the boys will be back at the start. Also maybe we have a few new South American players and because the South American Cup is played in June and we have a Brazilian like probably we will have in Alex, he cannot start this pre season. He would have been playing for the national team, however at least we have a proper pre season, one month, 6 games to play, almost everybody at the start training properly, more or less in the same way as all the other contenders for trophies."
Chelsea's season was ravaged by injuries however they still preserved an interest in all 4 major competitions, winning 2 domestic cups and narrowly missing out on the Premier League and Champions League.
But the experience will not stop the Portuguese coach from targeting all 4 again next term and says that, at some point in his time at Stamford Bridge, the Champions League will be secured.
Mourinho added, "We target everything however we know the reality of modern football. We have the experience of details making the big difference. It is difficult to always have the details on your side and it is difficult to have the details against you. So it is very difficult to win every competition however I do not understand why people tend to put this kind of load on Chelsea and not the others. Many Chelsea fans will say winning the 1st FA Cup at the new Wembley was brilliant, we enjoy Carling Cup victories, however next season we would like the title back plus the Champions League far more than anything else. I feel that is normal. I keep saying that with the Champions League, 10 teams invest to win it, 10 teams have squads to win it and some of these 10 teams, they have the traditional power of winning in Europe we do not have. However, we will do it. I am not a magician so I cannot said exactly when. However, I know we will do it because if Chelsea reached 3 semi-finals in the last 4 competitions, it is because you are going in the right direction and it is because one day it will happen to our club."
18 06 2007
The owner of Olympique Marseille Monday denied misusing club funds in a fraud scandal during the late 1990s as he sought to clear his name on appeal.
Robert-Louis Dreyfus, who holds a majority stake in the club, received a suspended 3 year jail sentence last year after being found guilty of involvement in the scandal linked to player transfers in the late 1990s.
Former coach Rolland Courbis was sentenced to 2 years in jail and ordered to serve an more year from a previous suspended sentence, and both men were fined 375,000 euros ($502,600) each.
"As president of OM, I obviously take responsibility for these facts, however I do not recognise misappropriating company funds," Dreyfus informed the appeal trial, which opened Monday.
Dreyfus and 9 of the 12 other people originally convicted appeared in court, that included Courbis.
Prosecutors at the original trial mentioned some 22 million euros were illegally diverted from club funds as part of the transfer of 15 players between 1997 and 1999, that included Laurent Blanc and Christophe Dugarry of France's 1998 World Cup winning squad.
During that trial, which had taken place after a 6 year investigation, the court heard of a complicated system of international cash transfers between several tax havens as part of a system of hidden commissions paid on player moves.
"I think that there were only departure bonuses for Laurent Blanc and the Argentine players," he said, referring to some lesser-known South American professionals.
The case against the men also focused on the transfers of French midfielder Claude Makelele and Italy's Fabrizio Ravanelli.
Courbis, who was Marseille coach from 1997 to 1999, continued to deny involvement in any unlawful payments, saying he was interested only in sport.
"My position is to make sure I am a leader and to win competitions. I am not proud of being a leader in this OM dossier," he informed the appeal trial.
Courbis, who has remained at liberty pending the outcome of his appeal, currently trains 2nd division club Montpellier-Herault.
"I had taken part in talks with players about their transfer and their payment. For me, if there are differences in the changing room over these astronomical amounts, that can cause a sporting problem," Courbis said.
12 06 2007
Robert Pires claims that Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele has ruled out the possibility of signing for Villarreal in the summer.
The Blues midfielder was linked with a probable transfer to Spain, however Pires does not think his former France international team mate will be joining him at El Madrigal.
"[Roberto] Ayala and [Joan] Capdevila have already signed and they are 2 nice reinforcements," Pires informed L'Equipe. "However, Makelele has no wish to join us."
Pires has recovered from serious knee injury to help inspire Villarreal to a 7 game winning streak in Spain, and the former Arsenal man admitted that he is now keen to extend his deal beyond 2008.
"2 years at Villarreal is short, above all after 7 months without playing," Pires added.
"If the officials let me understand we can go beyond 2008, I would sign the paper tomorrow. I feel we can achieve good things at this club."
