Good post, but I think the simplicity and unassuming style of Makalele's play kinda clouds your perception of his ability. Fernando Hierro claimed that in the dressing room it was unanimous that Makalele was Real Madrid best and most important player "but no one seems to notice what he does"...
When Becks was brought in and Makas sold, Zidane was quoted as saying "why put another coat of paint on the Bentley, if you're losing the entire engine" (or something like that)....
I agree that Keane was a different player especially in that he got more involved in the attacking third, and his style of football gave the appearance that he was more involved and dynamic than Makas.... but Keane himself admittedly was techically average to less than average amongst his peers (that's from his own mouth).... and prided himself on attitude and hard work... so let's not create this imaginary gulf in talent between Keane and Makalele- they both had their own methods of compensating for their lack of technical sophistication...
I agree with most of what you said, but I can't agree with your claim that Keane was more talented that Makas by far ... unless we qualify what you mean by talent...
The talent talk is a semantics thing that will take us nowhere, I just thinking of who you would want on your side, who is mmore valuablehigher rated/ better footballer. I agree athat Maka, and players like him, get a hard rap because of the nature of his position.
He influences the game without even touching or intercepting the ball.
Just by being the right place he can direct the opponents’ play and lead to his team winning possession.
That being said you and I know that, as good and as necessary as that stuff it, it is not the same as hitting a 60 yard pass or rolling a ball over a man head and down his back.
You can get another player to replace the best DM in the world with a lot less droppoff in quality than replacing a creative player like Zidane, Ronaldo, Kaka, Rivaldo etc.
That is why we consider those players more talented.
Comparing Keane and Maka is also difficult because Keane is not playing right now which is why I chose Essien as a suitable comparison.
So as good as Keane was if you picking a side and had a choice between Keane and Zidane most would choose Zidane. Likewise if you have a choice between Keane (Essien) and Makalele most would choose Keane.
