Melchiot: Family tragedy made me strong

"I wanted to stop playing football," he said. "I didn't care about it any more. It was not the most important thing in my life. The most important thing was caring for my family.

"But they said, 'The only way you can look after us is to keep playing the game. That's what Winston wanted and you must show him respect.'"

Melchiot broke into the Ajax first team shortly afterwards and in 1999 he signed for Chelsea under Gianluca Vialli.

Five years later, the Dutchman still plays at full-back for Ranieri, though he is set to follow the Italian out of Stamford Bridge when his contract expires this summer. Before that, he still harbours hopes of winning a place in Dick Advocaat's Euro 2004 squad.

Memories of Winston have helped drive him to on-field success, as has a paternal desire to provide for his family.

Melchiot said: "From that day I felt a weight on my shoulders to look after my whole family. From that moment my life changed. I became strong in a difficult situation and more determined to succeed.

"There is no bigger disappointment in life than losing somebody who is special to you. Now when anything else comes along, you feel you can overcome it.

"The sadness is still there and the worst moments are watching my mother when she gets upset - a mother losing her child is the hardest thing of all."

Despite a six-year age gap, Melchiot was extremely close to Winston. His older brother taught him to play football and also gave him the confidence to pursue a career in the game.

Melchiot, who still wears Winston's ring and headband as a mark of respect, added: "I looked up to him, he was a role model and my first coach when I was aged five. He made me realise there were more things in life than just having fun.

"His death was a terrible blow. He was my biggest influence."

Since moving to London, Melchiot has become a figurehead for the British Heart Foundation and tomorrow he will act as official starter for the charity's Tower of London jog.

The event, which involves around 1,000 fun-runners racing around the Tower's moat, is designed to raise money for the treatment of heart disease. Melchiot said: "I chose to support the Heart Foundation-because of the personal thing that happened to me and my family."

Melchiot will then begin preparations for what could be his final game for Chelsea - against Leeds on Saturday.

He has not ruled out being offered a new deal but said: "When people know you are on a Bosman, there is always going to be interest. I will give myself a couple of weeks and then make my choice. If I want to stay in the Premiership, I definitely won't have a problem."