Ligue 1 is on the up, says Paris Saint-Germain's Claude Makelele

Paris Saint-Germain assistant coach Claude Makelele believes that the increasing number of foreign players plying their trade in Ligue 1 is improving the quality of the league.

The former Marseille midfielder, who also earned 71 caps for France, feels that the gap is closing between Ligue 1 and the likes of La Liga and the Premier League.

”’For a time it [Ligue 1] was at the same level as Spain or England,” Makelele told Ligue1.com.

”The level dropped a tiny bit because a lot of players, the ideal French players, moved to another country like Spain or England. I think now it’s different. The large players are coming back to the country and that is making the level stronger.

”The way I am seeing it now, the large players are coming now and joining Ligue 1. We have a good example in Paris Saint-Germain.

‘We have a lot of good players. I think the level is moving in a good way for the fans. I think it’s been a long time since Ligue 1 has been such a hard competition. I think it’s good for the French league.”

The 39-year-old went on to praise the ambition of PSG, as the club look to establish themselves as a major force in Europe.

”The club have a lot of ambition,” Makelele said.

”They want to reach the level of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea. I think the club is doing it in a good way. The coach Ancelotti has experience, he has won a lot of things.

”I think the experience he has of large competitions like the Champions League is a large opportunity for Paris Saint-Germain. The objective for the club is to become like Manchester United and Real Madrid.”

The former France international also discussed how he believes young players at the club can learn from experienced players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

”Ibrahimovic is one of the world’s ideal players and I think there is an opportunity for the likes of Clement Chantome, Christophe Jallet and Mamadou Sakho to learn from him as well as players such as Javier Pastore and Ezequiel Lavezzi. I think it’s a good opportunity for the young players to learn and to emulate them.”

PSG’s next league match is against Ajaccio on August 19.

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