5 of the best players who have never made the PFA team of the year

#3 Claude Makelele

An underrated midfielder at Chelsea

The pioneer of the ‘Makelele’ role, Claude Makelele was the one player who redefined the role of a holding midfielder, subsequently making managers and owners realise the importance of the position. Nowadays, most teams play with a designated water carrier (a player who is hard-working and competent and allows other players to flourish).

Makelele was so underrated by opposition players that never made it to the PFA team of the Year despite Mourinho’s rampant Chelsea side dominating the Premier League in the mid-2000s. Like Alonso, Makelele faced stern competition as his less flamboyant role couldn’t lead to perhaps as many votes as Gerrard’s long-range strikes or Viera’s routine running of games did.

Yet, there was no shortage of appreciation from Chelsea fans and players as the Frenchman was voted as Chelsea’s Players’ player of the year in 2006, ahead of teammates like Terry, Gallas, Lampard and Joe Cole who all made it to the PFA team of the year. It was the Frenchman’s efforts that the likes of Kante and Busquets now enjoy the share of the limelight.