Five who played for both: Chelsea and PSG | OneFootball

Chelsea and PSG will contest the FIFA Club World Cup final in the United States this evening.

Two of Europe’s top teams go head-to-head with the winner set to be crowned world champions at the MetLife Stadium.

Ahead of their first meeting since 2016, we’ve remembered five big names who represented both clubs during their careers.

Five who played for both: Chelsea and PSG

Claude Makelele

A pioneer for the midfield anchor role, a position that would become colloquially called the ‘Makelele role’ given his excellence at screening the defence. Chelsea signed the midfielder as one of the first signings of their new era in 2003, following the transformative takeover of Roman Abramovich at Stamford Bridge.

Makelele had been an important – but under-appreciated – part of the Real Madrid side, with Zinedine Zidane among those to criticise his exit during the Galactico era.

After moving to Chelsea, Makelele made sure his presence was felt. He was a crucial part of the club’s back-to-back Premier League title successes under Jose Mourinho as the Blues became a Premier League powerhouse.

Makelele won six trophies over his five seasons with the West Londoners, before returning to France to play for Paris Saint-Germain.

He concluded his career with three seasons in Paris and helped the club to Coupe de France success in 2009/10.

Nicolas Anelka

Paris Saint-Germain lost the services of talented teenager Nicolas Anelka after just 12 senior appearances, as Arsenal swooped to sign the 17-year-old in 1997.

In England, Anelka exploded. He contributed to the club’s domestic double success in his first full season before winning the PFA Young Player of the Year after scoring 17 league goals the following season.

Anelka joined Real Madrid in a high-profile transfer, but after a disappointing spell in Spain returned to Paris.

PSG spent £22m to bring back their former academy talent and Anelka was named captain after a bright start to his return.

However, issues again surfaced and a fall-out with head coach Luis Fernandez led to his exit. A nomadic spell saw the forward take in stints at Liverpool (loan), Manchester City, Fenerbahce and Bolton before a £15m transfer to Chelsea in January 2008.

Anelka enjoyed the most settled period of his career at Chelsea, where he scored 59 goals in 184 games. That return included a Premier League Golden Boot in 2008/09 and a Premier League and FA Cup double the following season.

Alex

The burly Brazilian was an unmissable presence in both penalty boxes during his time at Chelsea.

Alex was signed from Santos in 2004 but spent three seasons on loan at PSV Eindhoven – winning consecutive Eredivisie titles – amid work permit issues.

After being permitted to play in the Premier League, Alex won a Premier League and FA Cup double with the Blues during the 2009/10 season. He developed a reputation for thunderous shooting, scoring some sensational free-kicks during his time with the club.

Paris Saint-Germain signed Alex after he fell out of favour and the defender was a key part of the club’s new project. He made 92 appearances over three seasons and was part of the side that won the club’s first Ligue 1 titles under Qatar Sports Investments.

David Luiz

David Luiz went from Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain and back again during a decorated career.

He joined Chelsea from Benfica Chelsea in January 2011 and won the Champions League during his first full season at Stamford Bridge. Luiz also picked up FA Cup and Europa League medals with the Blues, before becoming football’s most expensive defender.

Paris Saint-Germain broke the world transfer record for a defender to sign Luiz in a £50m deal. Despite spending just two seasons in Paris, Luiz won every available domestic honour and was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season on each occasion.

Despite that success, PSG allowed Luiz to return to Chelsea in 2016, as the Brazilian moved back to the Premier League for a fee of £30m.

He was a crucial cog in Antonio Conte’s three-man defence for the Blues’ 2016/17 title success and won a second FA Cup and Europa League during his second stint. Luiz totalled 248 appearances across his two spells with Chelsea.

Thiago Silva

A genuine great of the game.

Thiago Silva was a statement signing for the Paris Saint-Germain project, as the Brazilian joined the club from AC Milan alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Together, the two had a monumental impact as PSG became French football’s dominant force.

Silva’s eight seasons in Paris delivered seven Ligue 1 titles and 16 domestic cups, while he was named in the division’s Team of the Year on seven occasions.

At 35, Silva called time on his career at the Parc des Princes but there was no desire to take a step down from the top level. The veteran took on a new challenge, moving to the Premier League on a free transfer. In one of world football’s most athletic leagues, he continued to thrive, making 155 appearances over four seasons with Chelsea. His debut campaign ended with Champions League success, adding the previously elusive honour to a stacked silverware collection.

Read – Chelsea vs PSG – Predicted lineup and team news

See more – PSG XI vs Chelsea – Predicted lineup and team news

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