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Name:	Claude Makelele
Nationality:	French
Date of Birth:	18/02/1973
Height:	5' 7" (170cm)
Weight:	10st 6lbs (66.0kg)
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Clubs:	Real Madrid, Nantes, Celta Vigo, Marseille
Position:	Midfielder

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The senior member of the squad has long been considered the world's best at executing the midfield anchor role - and Claude has the medals to prove it.

 

He won the French league at Nantes and the Spanish league and Champions League at Real Madrid prior to his £13.9 million signing in the summer of the Abramovich revolution back in 2003.

 

Starting his career at small Brittany club Brest, Nantes was his second stop before it was on to Spain via Marseille.

 

He adapted well enough at Celta Vigo to attract mighty Madrid where two Spanish titles, the Champions League and a host of other trophies were won.

 

But despite protests from many of Real's biggest stars, the powers that be at the Bernabéu seemingly undervalued their unsung hero so he embarked on a new challenge in England.

 

Described by then manager Claudio Ranieri as the final piece in the jigsaw -the battery in an expensive watch - Claude started as he meant to go on, gliding around in front of the defence, disrupting the opposition and distributing the ball with thought and care.

 

He remained Frank Lampard's near-permanent partner in the centre of midfield and was our fourth most used player in his first season at The Bridge.

 

Short in height but high in stamina, he upped his games total to become joint second appearance maker the next season and at the peak of his form, was a true hero of Chelsea's first title win for 50 years.

 

This perennial non-shooter scored his first Chelsea goal, just about turning in a rebound after the Charlton keeper had saved his penalty in the final home game.

 

Only three outfield players made more appearances during Claude's third Chelsea season (he played 51 game combined for club and country), at the end of which he had a second Premiership title. During the same three seasons Real Madrid won nothing.

 

In September 2004, he brought the curtain down on his international career but came come out of retirement to help France's flagging World Cup qualification campaign. Soon he was playing in the World Cup Final itself - his 50th cap.

 

His age and extended international career meant he was used more sparingly by José Mourinho last campaign, but Claude was still there performing when it mattered in the 120 minutes of May's FA Cup Final victory.

 

This season, Makelele's advancing years have meant he has been used more sparingly by the management, but when called upon for the big games he has not let anyone down, displaying calmness and maturity in the middle of the park.