Makelele Player Review
Pros
Defensive Masterclass
Makelele is unbelievably good defensively. His tackling timing is excellent, and he consistently wins the ball cleanly whether it’s a standing challenge or a well-timed slide. His defensive IQ is elite and he never dives in unnecessarily.
Exceptional Positioning
He holds the defensive line perfectly and always stays in the right pocket of space. His awareness helps him track runners intelligently and cut passing lanes before the opponent even completes the move.
Top-Tier Man Marking
Makelele sticks to his man tightly and switches marking assignments effortlessly. He reads body movement very well and makes sure attackers never get too much freedom around the box.
Sharp Interceptions
His anticipation is outstanding. He steps in at the perfect moment to intercept ground passes, quick layoffs, and through balls, killing attacking plays instantly.
Strong Physical Presence
Even at 5.9, Makelele feels physically solid. His balance and strength help him win shoulder duels, shield the ball, and stay firm in tackles. The height only affects him occasionally in difficult aerial battles, but overall he holds his own well.
Dives Into Tackles Trait
This trait massively boosts his defensive ability. His slide tackles become even more effective and he wins possession cleanly in situations where others would commit fouls.
Good Pace for a CDM
He’s not extremely fast, but his acceleration is more than enough to recover quickly and cover dangerous areas. He makes crucial defensive runs consistently thanks to his work rate.
Reliable Passing
Both his short and long passing are consistent and accurate. He helps maintain tempo from midfield and can start counterattacks smoothly.
Great Stamina
He can play the full 90 minutes at high intensity without dropping in effectiveness. His work rate allows him to cover a huge amount of ground defensively.
Cons
Limited Dribbling
While his ball control is decent, he doesn’t feel smooth on the ball. His dribbling is functional but not impressive, and he’s not suited for tight attacking spaces.
Poor Shooting
His finishing and long shots are weak. He offers almost nothing in attacking contribution around the opponent’s box.
3* Skill Moves
This limits him in tight situations and reduces his ability to escape pressure through skill-based movement.
Conclusion
Makelele is a pure defensive powerhouse. His interceptions, tackling, positioning, and physical presence make him one of the most reliable CDMs in the game. While he lacks attacking quality, dribbling smoothness, and aerial dominance, his defensive ability alone makes him an elite option for any setup that needs security in front of the backline.
Rating: 9.7/10