Claude Makélélé: Ligue 1 Has Changed

Football is changing at an ever-increasing pace, with the big clubs becoming even more dominant and the smaller sides struggling to keep up. It seems that there is no country untouched by these effects, as former French international, Claude Makélélé, pointed out on Paris Saint-Germain’s official website.

“Ligue 1 has changed,” he explained. “When I went abroad [in 1998], there were still five or ten teams that could realistically challenge for Le Championnat. Times change and football changes too; most of the very good players have now emigrated to other countries.”

This portrait does sound bleak but Makélélé, who had spells at Celta Vigo, Real Madrid and Chelsea after initially leaving France, does hold out some hope for the future. “Ligue 1 maintains a good level because there are many young players, who have taken positive steps and, without doubt, this is one of the highest level leagues in Europe,” he boldly stated.

Makélélé’s contribution since joining les Parisiens on a free transfer from Chelsea in the summer has generally been lauded, with his influence on those around him second to none in the French top flight. He has played in 16 of PSG’s opening 19 league fixtures and has helped them climb the rankings to fourth spot, five points off Olympique Lyonnais’ pace.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com