Real Madrid's Queiroz: Makelele's Chelsea move has affected us

Real Madrid trainer Carlos Queiroz has admitted the loss of new Chelsea signing Claude Makelele has been a setback.

"I would not say that it has lessened the team, although it is a reality we must face," said Queiroz.

"The departure of Makelele has taken us a little by surprise and was a complicated process, with discipline problems, that affected the decisions we had to make."

"But we must remember there are two important points to come from this episode. First, we now have a group of players we totally trust."

"Second, Makelele had to go because of club policy. I have no say in that, it is simply a situation we must solve."