Claude Makelele has returned to Chelsea in a coaching capacity.

Makelele returns to the club as a technical mentor to our young players.

Makelele will be based largely at our Cobham training ground, working closely with individual Academy players, tracking technical performances in both training and matches.

Makelele said: "I am very happy to come back home. This club gave me a lot and now I want to give back and help the young Chelsea players dreaming of a career in football. I want to use all my experience to help them become professionals in every aspect and I am looking forward to getting started."

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: "We are very pleased to welcome Claude back to Chelsea, where he made such an impact during five excellent years as a player.

"His long and successful career on the field, added to his winning mentality and experience as a coach in recent years, make him the ideal person to pass on his expertise to our talented youngsters. He will be a valuable asset to both our Academy and first-team coaching staff."

Makelele most recently worked as manager of Belgian top-flight side Eupen, having also managed Bastia in 2014.