Makelele Handed New Chelsea Role

Chelsea have beefed up their old boys network further by confirming a new coaching role for former player Claude Makelele. Former France midfielder Makelele has returned to Stamford Bridge as a technical mentor to young players, with the news following on from an earlier announcement that former Blues goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini was stepping into a new role as loan player technical coach.

Makelele is back at Chelsea for the first time in 11 years, having had coaching roles at Paris Saint-Germain, Bastia, Swansea and Belgium’s Eupen since his 2011 playing retirement. “I am very happy to come back home; this club gave me a lot and now I want to give back and help the young Chelsea players dreaming of a career in football,” said Makelele, who made 217 Blues appearances and won two league titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups.

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“I want to use all my experience to help them become professionals in every aspect and I am looking forward to getting started.” Chelsea’s two-window transfer ban has new boss Lampard ready to hand a clutch of talented youth stars an extended first-team run this term. Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia hailed the new roles for both the highly-regarded former Blues stars.

“We are very pleased to welcome Claude back to Chelsea, where he made such an impact during five excellent years as a player,” said Granovskaia. “His long and successful career on the field, added to his winning mentality and experience as a coach in recent years, make him the ideal person to pass on his expertise to our talented youngsters. “He will be a valuable asset to both our Academy and first-team coaching staff. Meanwhile, former Chelsea reserves goalkeeper James Russell has also become assistant men’s goalkeeping coach, working alongside Hilario.