Chelsea legend Claude Makelele to be named Blues’ Young Player Technical Mentor to help turn kids into superstars

CLAUDE MAKELELE will return to Chelsea as the club’s new Young Player Technical Mentor.

Makelele becomes the latest former player to be appointed back at Stamford Bridge as part of the coaching structure of the club.

Frank Lampard’s appointment as manager, with Jody Morris working alongside him, was just part of a move to get Blues legends in positions of power.

Ex-goalkeeper Petr Cech has recently started work as Chelsea’s new technical director, while Joe Cole is in a coaching role with the academy side.

Paulo Ferreira works on advising the large group of loan players the club sends out every season, and Eddie Newton has also re-joined the first team backroom staff.

And now Makelele, 46, is coming in to assume a special role working to bridge the gap between academy and first team for the scores of talented players coming through the system.

report that the Frenchman will arrive this week to start work having left his position as boss of Belgian side KAS Eupen at the end of last season.

His main responsibilities will be working to ensure the development squad and academy teams are working to a standard capable of producing future first team players.

He will liaise closely with the youth players coming through the ranks to mentor them as they take their first steps into the professional game.

Makelele will also advise on potential loan deals which will see Chelsea’s young talent shipped out around the world to gain experience and continue their development.

It is thought he will work in collaboration with new senior technical director Cech to ensure the structure is in place to continue the production line of new players.

Chelsea are finally starting to see the benefits of their investment in their academy as a crop of bright young talents start to push on into the first team squad.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi made the step up to become regulars last season before they were both struck down by injury.

Tammy Abraham is getting an extended chance to play up front this season having spent the last three years out on loan.

And Mason Mount is also expected to figure heavily in Frank Lampard’s plans as the Blues fans start to be able to get behind the club’s own youth products at last.