'Exceptional talent' - Makelele suggests Chelsea have key player to deliver title

France and Chelsea legend Claude Makelele has high praise for one of the club's star players.

Claude Makelele anchored the midfield during Chelsea’s back-to-back Premier League titles in 2004 and 2005. Recently, he watched Chelsea win the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA and praised the team’s young talent.

“Chelsea have good players, young and talented players,” Makelele said.

“I’ve seen them progress a lot, and I’m proud of this club. I know Chelsea, they are fighters. That’s true also of the midfielders, with young players like Caicedo and [Romeo] Lavia, such very good players.”

Moises Caicedo, often compared to Makelele for his role at the base of Chelsea’s midfield, has earned the legend’s admiration. The holding midfield position, dubbed the ‘Makelele role,’ is one Caicedo is poised to redefine.

“I think he has a lot of exceptional talent. Moi is humble, he plays with a smile, and works hard for his teammates." Makelele said via Tribuna

"I did that when I was playing, enjoyed myself, and he has the passion and is a fighter. I think the passion and the fight are just as important as talent.

"I love him a lot, because when he started at Chelsea, we talked together, and he was happy to come to Chelsea for his own story. He didn’t want to be compared to me; he wanted to do the ‘Caicedo role.’

Meanwhile, the Blues remain in the market for another attacking signing, after adding Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. Reports suggest a move for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho is in the works.