SWANS DRAFT IN MAKELELE AS CLEMENT’S No2
PAUL CLEMENT has brought in Claude Makelele to be his assistant as he bids to keep Swansea City in the Premier League. The 43-year-old has signed a deal to join Clement’s backroom staff until the end of the season, having been coached by the new Swansea boss at Chelsea. They also worked together on Carlo Ancelotti’s staff at Paris Saint-Germain. Makelele said: ‘Paul is my mentor. He has taught me a lot of things. ‘When I heard he was working in the Premier League, I phoned him and asked if I could help.’ Makelele played more than 200 games for Chelsea, winning the title twice, but the Swansea role is his first in England since he left Chelsea in 2008. ‘I’ve really missed the Premier League,’ he added. ‘I have a lot to give. The aim is to keep Swansea in the league. My role is a general one. Whichever way I can help the players.’ He was sacked after five months as manager at French club Bastia in 2014 and has since worked as a technical director at Monaco. His arrival is set to be followed by Holland winger Luciano Narsingh from PSV Eindhoven. He is out of contract at the end of the season but Swansea will pay £4million to get him now. He was identified during Bob Bradley’s tenure but Clement has approved the move. He is also interested in Norwich’s Martin Olsson. Swansea came close to signing the left back two years ago and have been in talks this week to force through a deal. Swansea’s necessity to recruit a left back was increased yesterday morning when Neil Taylor suffered a fractured cheekbone in training. The club confirmed he is likely to have surgery.