Win will bring respect for Blues
by Joseph Caron Dawe, 16 May 2008
Claude Makelele says Chelsea need to emulate his former club Real Madrid in winning the Champions League next week if they are to ever entertain hopes of being regarded as a world force in football.
The France international won the competition with Los Merengues in 2002, and speaking from an experienced position the midfield linchpin says Avram Grant’s side cannot command the respect they desire unless they triumph in Moscow.
“Then Real Madrid were the best team in the world and it gave them more credit as a club,” said Makelele of the reigning Spanish champions’ dominance in the early 2000s.
“People look at winners and say 'this is a big team'. I remember all the teams who came to play Real Madrid in the Champions League were scared.
“They knew that they would lose but they might lose by four or maybe six goals. It would be good to see Chelsea have this power.
“It is difficult winning it but it would be so good for the players as well as the club.
“To win this competition would give Chelsea a lot of credit throughout Europe because then all the teams on the continent would respect us more.
“It is a symbol of a big team throughout Europe and the world and it is a good sensation for a player.”