Makelele returns to Les Bleus

[nicephoras]

Story here (http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=296408&cpid=219&CLID=8&lid=&title=Stars+return+to+France+fold&channel=football_home). Can't say I'm thrilled he's going to be playing internationals again, but given his age, I imagine that France won't use him for friendlies - they know what he can do and need to groom a successor.

[srd....]

just announced on sky news (t.v) that zidane and Makelele have both announced their internationl comebacks today,just in time to play the republic i might add.....the bastards!!!

however that aside i must admit im pretty dissapointed with maka's u-turn,at his age with the extra games and greater chance of picking up injurys while away with the french squad,my biggest concern would be his club form suffering because of this.

let's be honest here,come the title run in at the end of the new season,i imagine it'll be pretty tight,and by gum we'll need maka to be as fresh as possable if we are going to try and retain the league.i just dread the thought of loseing him through fatigue or injury just because the french national side are struggleing to qualify for the world cup...

thought's???

[srd....]

if someone could merge threads that would be sweet...

yeah im not too pleased about this myself,
selfish i know but fcuk france!!!

[lobomojo]

I think his retirement had more to do with the idiot coach not wanting him and now becoming desperate after he has the team on the brink of tourist status.

As for Mak, how can you turn down your country, even if adopted, when they are in dire need.

Mak is one of my favorite players but I do very much hope to see Duff in the Cup and France sobbing at home this summer.

[srd....]

As for Mak, how can you turn down your country, even if adopted, when they are in dire need.

i know mate,and maka being the top bloke he is,probably didnt take too much to make up his mind.

[ZANI]

That peanut head Henry. Why doesn't he score for France like he does for Arsenal. Is that because they don't allow him quick free kicks there or what?

[nicephoras]

Incidentally, for all the talk of France "needing" Makelele, they don't. Their problem is currently scoring, not defense.

[JoshDB]

If someone takes out Maka, Duff'll head straight for Henry. >:]

[BridgeMonkee]

Incidentally, for all the talk of France "needing" Makelele, they don't. Their problem is currently scoring, not defense.

Well they are getting ZZ as well right?

Every team needs Makalele he is the man that allows players like ZZ and Pires to move forward and well score. . .goals...

this whole defence and forward thing is related - team game y'know ;)

WC year can't really blame them for wanting to play in the WC can yer?

[blackjack]

If someone takes out Maka, Duff'll head straight for Henry. >:]

I think Huth's the best hitman we've got.

[nicephoras]

Every team needs Makalele he is the man that allows players like ZZ and Pires to move forward and well score. . .goals...

That's not entirely true. Do we need another Makelele? No. Makelele helps France, but given that their problem is scoring goals, they don't need him.

[smartbomb]

That's not entirely true. Do we need another Makelele? No. Makelele helps France, but given that their problem is scoring goals, they don't need him.

You cannot score without securing your defense lines first; if Makelele plays again for France, I'm quite sure they will worry less about defending since he is a warranty for the DM position, and will concentrate more on attacking.

So yeah, they need him so they can score more goals.

[BridgeMonkee]

Do we need another Makelele? No.

We do not need another Makalele because we already have one Makalele. :confused:

For the same reason the world only needs one David Bowie.

[nicephoras]

We do not need another Makalele because we already have one Makalele. :confused:

For the same reason the world only needs one David Bowie.

Come on Monkee. There are players who are very similar to Makelele. France have Vieira, who, while, not as good as Claude at what Claude does, is sufficient for France's purposes.
This isn't a way to denigrate Makelele, who's one of my favorite Chelsea players, but to suggest that France don't really need him that badly at the moment. I'd say they need Gallas a hell of a lot more.

[nicephoras]

You cannot score without securing your defense lines first; if Makelele plays again for France, I'm quite sure they will worry less about defending since he is a warranty for the DM position, and will concentrate more on attacking.

So yeah, they need him so they can score more goals.

That would make sense if France were scoring freely in Euro2K when Makelele was still playing. Clearly, that was not the case.

[smartbomb]

This isn't a way to denigrate Makelele, who's one of my favorite Chelsea players, but to suggest that France don't really need him that badly at the moment. I'd say they need Gallas a hell of a lot more.

but given that their problem is scoring goals, they don't need him.

You, sir, are puzzling and intrigue me.










Kiss me :D

[nicephoras]

You, sir, are puzzling and intrigue me.
Kiss me :D

France needs Gallas a lot more because he's clearly their best defender at this point. Thuram is aging, Silvestre's.........crap, Sagnol and Lizarazu are about to go on pension and Evra, Boumson and Mexes are unproven. Hell, France tried Gallas at left back recently!

[Clan]

You cannot score without securing your defense lines first;

Wenger would disagree with you ;)

[bluemen groupee]

Does Maka even start for France? The last time I checked, he didn't have a regular starting place. I kind of don't see the point of rejoining a team at his age when he's not even gonna play regularly.

As for his value, I'd like to point to Real's slip and slide promptly following Makele's sale to Chelsea. Maka let's guys like Roberto Carlos roam forward without exposing the back line. I'd say Maka's contribution to offense is hugely underrated.

[smartbomb]

btw who plays DM in France these days?