Makelele - we want respect

Midfielder hopes final win will give Chelsea world lift

Last updated: 16th May 2008

Claude Makelele Chelsea

Makelele: Aiming for second winner's medal

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
Watch the UEFA Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester United live on Sky Sports 1 and HD 1 from 6pm on Wednesday 21st May.

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Claude Makelele believes winning the UEFA Champions League would earn Chelsea respect throughout the world.

Makelele is in the perfect position to judge having played in seven Champions League semi-finals and winning the trophy with Real Madrid six years ago.

Now the France international is hoping to add to that success with victory over

Manchester United in Moscow next Wednesday and will use all his experience to ensure Chelsea lift the trophy for the first time.

"Then Real Madrid were the best team in the world and it gave them more credit as a club," said Makelele of the Spanish giants' 2002 triumph.

Scared

"People look at winners and say: 'This is a big team.' I remember all the

teams who came to play Real Madrid in the Champions League were scared.

"They knew that they would lose but they might lose by four or maybe six goals. It would be good to see Chelsea have this power.

"It is difficult winning it but it would be so good for the players as well as the club.

"To win this competition would give Chelsea a lot of credit throughout Europe because then all the teams on the continent would respect us more.

"It is a symbol of a big team throughout Europe and the world and it is a good sensation for a player."