Claude Makélélé: Talk Of PSG Title Bid Is 'Surreal'

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Ligue 1 : Claude Makelele (Paris SG)

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Heavy investment is no guarantee of success as has been shown numerous times in Europe’s top leagues. It certainly helps clubs get a ‘foot up’ on their opponents though, with Paris Saint-Germain an example of just how a few thousand Euros can make a substantial difference. After Paul Le Guen’s men narrowly escaped the relegation trapdoor last season, they are pushing on for the Champions League this term.

Arguably their most high-profile summer coup was destructive midfielder, Claude Makélélé. An on-the-field general, the former Chelsea star has explained that, despite the club’s strong start, there are goals to be reached before les Parisiens even consider the Ligue 1 title.

"The first goal for us is to secure enough points to stay in Ligue 1," said the veteran to Football365. "We will operate in stages. The first is simply to maintain our place and then the second is to break into the top ten – anything more would simply be a bonus.

"It seems surreal [that people are talking about PSG as title contenders]. We need to keep the same system as a squad and also in our minds. We’ll see at the end."

The Parc des Princes club continue their title quest against Valenciennes in the French capital later today, a match that Makélélé does not anticipate being a straightforward encounter.

"It will be a very difficult match," he asserted. "I expected a more complicated game than against Twente or Auxerre because Valenciennes will look firstly to defend. It will be up to us to break them down. It is important that we take three points at home."

Robin Bairner, Goal.com