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Holy Makelele: Swansea City’s Players Did Double Take When Midfield Legend Turned Up

Ian GordonIan Gordon13 January 2017
Swansea City Stadium

Swansea City Stadium

Paul Clement has revealed Swansea City’s players did a double take when Claude Makelele walked into the dressing room. The midfield legend will assist Clement – who he worked with at Chelsea and PSG – having stunned the new manager by offering h

Paul Clement has revealed Swansea City’s players did a double take when Claude Makelele walked into the dressing room.

The midfield legend will assist Clement – who he worked with at Chelsea and PSG – having stunned the new manager by offering his services.

And Clement believes the presence of the trophy-laden Frenchman can only have a positive impact in the club’s relegation fight.

The Swans manager said: “The aim is for him to make a short-term impact.

“You could see some of the players and staff when he arrived at the training ground, they did a double-take.

“They looked at him, looked away and had to look back to make sure they were seeing right and it was really him.

“He will bring a lot of presence, a lot of charisma and a lot of knowledge.

“He has a really good feeling for the dressing room and players after being at such a high level for so long. He will help give us a nice blend of characteristics as a staff.”

Clement – whose first Premier League game in charge is at home to Arsenal on Saturday – admits he was surprised when he got the call from his old friend.

The 45-year-old added: “It took me by surprise, I actually thought he was still the technical director at Monaco.

“He said he had left there, he was doing some work for UEFA. So it was a

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