Both West African greats won the lot at Stamford Bridge, but who had the greater influence in West London?
Chelsea’s dominance of the Premier League in the mid-2000s was certainly significant for the top flight in that they ended Manchester United and Arsenal’s decade-long dominance of the competition. Not since Blackburn Rovers in 1994/95 had any side besides the pair ended top dog in the division, so it was refreshing to see a change at the summit in 2004/05.
Jose Mourinho’s troops, backed by Roman Abramovich’s funds, had several key players in that first success in 2005, and none was arguably more important than Frenchman Claude Makelele - the water carrier, the protector of the backline.