Chelsea, Premier League

As we salivate to the prospect of Spanish superstar Fernando Torres, wilkommen Owen Hargreaves and awe at Darren Bent’s epic price tag, spare a thought for the football elders of this world. The Sheringhams and Fowlers who can only drag their feet as they are squashed into the bin bag of gone-off heroes. Though there are some whose fate is less certain, especially when such rare quality is appreciated in unsung measures.

Claude Makélélé or the ‘Beer Can’, as he is affectionately nick-named by his Chelsea team-mates, is causing a huge dilemma for his coach: to recycle or to throw in the trash?

His purchase in 2003 for £16.8m was greeted with anxiety from the Chelsea faithful, considered then a lavish sum for a player of 29. Yet his service has been instrumental in bringing Premiership success after a fifty year fast. Working in the engine room of a glitzy midfield; his awareness, composure and positional discipline has made him as much famous for creating the “Makélélé Role” as being the epitome of the ‘unsung hero’. It’s hard to say if Frank Lampard would have enjoyed such attacking freedom as the Chelsea cynosure or if Chelsea would have seen even a glimmer of success without Makélélé’s understated presence. Fans have secretly dodged the thought of replacing a man responsible for creating a footballing archetype of his very own.

How quickly minds change.

With the belated awakening of Michael Essien after a shy first season, the Premiership has witnessed his beastly strength. His versatility has forced him to be accommodated in the first team – even if it meant dropping former Champions League winner Paulo Ferreira at right back or Dutch International Khalid Boulahrouz at centre. John Obi Mikel too has risen to form, after initially disappointing as an attacking midfielder; the big 19-year-old Nigerian has shown his coolness as the holding man. The crucial second leg against Valencia must have been a sickening experience for Makélélé. Replaced at half time after panicky distribution and made ghostly by his embarrassing aerial ability. Seeing Mikel kit off as his replacement, he would have felt the cold chill of impending retirement. The new kid’s on the block and you made the mistake of teaching him everything you know.

Deciding Makélélé’s fate will be one of Mourinho’s biggest decisions since arriving at Stamford Bridge; tempting the possibility than an ersatz might throw the team into disarray

This season Mikel will not be as content to play as a backup knowing how comfortably he has performed. Essien, shed of his coyness and tired of proving himself an able factotum, won’t accept being accommodated in defence either. So what now? José has suggested a return to a 4-3-3 formation this season and along with the likely arrival of a winger, can Chelsea afford to devote a place to Makélélé? With Ballack and Lampard ‘untouchable’ surely it is Essien, Chelsea’s 2007 player of the year, who will pip the 34-year-old, and be entrusted to stamp his authority as an intransigent defensive midfielder. His previous performances echoed Roy Keane’s ruthlessness and gusto coupled with Vieira-like bursts from deep. His uncompromising verve and astute protection of the back four – more like a hired bully than the shepherding Makélélé.

But despite the options Mourinho has in Essien, Mikel, Lassana Diarra and the free transfer Steve Sidwell, letting Makélélé leave threatens a repeat of his last exit; jettisoned by Real Madrid who had cockily deemed him surplus to requirements. Just as Florentino Perez’s damningly reviews:

“We will not miss Makélélé… players will arrive who will cause Makélélé to be forgotten”.

Ironically, the Chelsea coach and fans alike find themselves in a similar mentality, questioning if Makélélé is a worthwhile presence. If only for his own sake as still a France international, it is debatable whether he will see much club playing time this season ahead of such sprightly competition. Five years older, fans can have more comfort being so presumptuous. However imagine the catastrophe if Chelsea permitted his exit to a top club only for him to return and smite his former employers in a domestic or worse, European competition.

José must sieve through the bids to ensure against such eventuality. But if wavering caution is needed, perhaps it is best to hold on and embrace the burdening presence the player could have on the squad? Like a child reluctant to part with his prized toys at a jumble sale because a fortune awaits on eBay.

Deciding Makélélé’s fate will be one of Mourinho’s biggest decisions since arriving at Stamford Bridge; tempting the possibility than an ersatz might throw the team into disarray. Real Madrid have only just recovered from the humiliating misjudgement that allowed Makélélé’s departure. Throwing the beer can into the garbage could be the worst business this summer: one man’s trash is another’s treasure, but can José Mourinho be sure whether Claude Makélélé is either?

Should Mourinho retain Makélélé at Chelsea? Share your views by leaving a comment below.

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