Claude Makélélé

Makélélé's position at the base of José Mourinho's Chelsea midfield helped the players ahead of him commit to attacks. He watched for counterattacks, chose his challenges and gave possession a reliable route through the centre. Calling him merely a ball-winner misses that distribution. Opponents sometimes assigned a player to restrict him, recognising his influence on Chelsea's construction. The role became associated with his name, but he did not invent defensive midfield play.