Real Madrid chief: Makelele will not join Chelsea

Real Madrid sports chief Jorge Valdano insists the club has no intention of transferring want-away midfielder Claude Makelele.

The French international's agent, Marc Roger, was in London on Monday, fuelling speculation of talks with Chelsea.

But Valdano said last night: "He will not wear the shirt of any team other than Madrid, I'll make sure of that."

"He has a contract and until that contract expires, he will only wear Real Madrid's shirt."

"We haven't even remotely considered that Makelele could change club. A club like Real Madrid cannot accept pressure of this sort."

"He has a choice. Either he continues to play soccer or he doesn't continue playing soccer. Putting his future as a player in danger, putting his contractual situation in danger doesn't seem to me to be a good idea. That's the bottom line."