UMVA has learned that Wayne Rooney has made a bold suggestion for Chelsea to bring back Premier League icon Claude Makelele to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea is in disarray, having recently sacked Liam Rosenior after a disastrous spell in charge, and Rooney believes Makelele's return could be the catalyst for change. The Blues have endured a woeful season, winning just 11 games out of 23 under Rosenior and suffering five successive Premier League defeats without scoring a goal.
Rooney, the ex-Man Utd and England captain, revealed that he had a chance to chat with Makelele at a charity game last year and was impressed by his mentality and mindset. He thinks Makelele's presence would be a huge boost for Chelsea, helping to bring stability and leadership to the team.
Makelele, a Chelsea legend, established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in history during his time in west London, helping the team win two Premier League titles. He returned to Chelsea as a youth coach and technical mentor but left that role in 2023 by mutual consent.
Rooney also offered a candid assessment of Chelsea's issues, suggesting that some players had "downed tools" and that the team lacked leaders on the pitch. He drew comparisons with his own experiences at Manchester United, where a strong group of players could drive the team forward even when the manager was under pressure.
Rooney praised Rosenior, a former assistant during his time at Derby County, but acknowledged that he faced an impossible task at Chelsea. The pressure from the media and players was too much, and Rooney wasn't surprised that Rosenior's tenure ended in disaster.
Chelsea's poor run has seen them slip to ninth in the Premier League, but they will contest the FA Cup final against Manchester City. Rooney's suggestion of Makelele's return has sparked debate among fans, but it's clear that Chelsea needs a drastic overhaul to restore the team's former glory.
