Makelele ends his strike

Steve Stammers|Evening Standard|In Switzerland

14 April 2012

Real Madrid star Claude Makelele reopened the door for a move to Chelsea today by ending his strike with the Spanish champions.

The Stamford Bridge club also expect to finalise the transfer of Hernan Crespo by the weekend. The Argentinian striker will not be signed in time to play against Leicester on Saturday, but the £20million transfer from Inter Milan is close to completion.

Makelele could still yet be added to Claudio Ranieri's summer spending spree after he promised to restart training with Real after he returns from France's game against Switzerland tonight.

Madrid had asked France not to play the midfielder after he refused to train with them over a pay dispute claiming he was depressed.

Makelele wants his wages doubled or be allowed to talk to Chelsea. But Madrid refused to consider the deal until the player broke off his action, apologised and they had found a suitable replacement. The first part of that appears to have been satisfied today. Makelele said: "Since I've been with the French team, I've felt good mentally. I've been able to think again and that lets me confirm that on Thursday I will be training with my club, Real Madrid."

Asked whether his absence was part of a campaign to pressurise Madrid into increasing his wages, the 30-year-old said: "I've never had that intention.

"If I've not been training for a few days, it's because I've not been feeling well.

"I've even presented the club with a medical certificate which diagnoses psychological problems which prevent me from going to training.

"Then, when I received the call-up from France, I felt capable of responding and honouring my country. That's normal, I think.

"At no point, I repeat, did my non-attendance at the Ciudad Deportivo (Madrid's training ground) constitute part of some sort of strategy or a way of putting pressure on the bosses at Madrid. I wasn't training, because I couldn't."

His agent Marc Roger has claimed Chelsea want to sign Makelele and have tabled a £7m bid. If Chelsea manage to land Crespo and Makelele it will take their summer spending under new owner Roman Abramovich to around £110m.

Meanwhile, Geremi joined Chelsea rather than Manchester United because he did not have the stomach for a fight with Roy Keane.

The Cameroon star claims Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign him, but he was put off by the fierce competition for places in United's midfield.

Geremi said: "If I had signed for Manchester, I would have had to fight for a place with Roy Keane. Frankly, I think I have a good name myself, good enough to always be playing."

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