Chelsea's veteran Makelele is showing that he's still sharp enough to run the midfield

He is about to turn 35, and the Frenchman must have expected to be eclipsed by younger men, keen to anchor Chelsea's midfield just as Champions Leage winner Makelele had done so successfully for the past four years.

But as the Blues cling to Arsenal and Manchester United's coat tails on a run of nine Premier League wins in a row, Makelele is back in the thick of it and playing as well as ever.

Scroll down for more

Of all the players who have impressed during the last few difficult weeks, the Frenchman has emerged as the most influential among his team-mates.

Michael Ballack has been rejuvenated, scored goals and driven the team forward, Joe Cole opened his box of tricks and Ricardo Carvalho proved once again a defensive rock as Chelsea claimed a club-record equalling ninth win in a row.

Yet if they are really going to turn this season's slow start into a title-winning finish, Makelele will get much of the credit for his work both on and off the pitch.

Ballack, who scored the only goal in last night's 1-0 win over Reading, said: "We have some very experienced players who have been showing that on the pitch and in the dressing room.

"Everybody looks to these players and to Makelele especially, and he is always very positive. In this period he has shown a lot of strength and that is very important for everybody."

"We have had problems all season so we cannot get our heads down and complain about injuries. We have to deal with it and have shown we can. Winning the last nine games shows the strength of the team and the mentality."

Of the men who were supposed to replace Makelele, Lassana Diarra got itchy feet and left for Portsmouth via Arsenal, and John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien are at the African Nations' Cup.

Both Mikel and Essien have also learned a trick or two but Makelele has shown in the past few weeks that there is some life in the old dog yet.

Rushed back from an ear operation, he has played five games in less than three weeks and will possibly be needed again at Portsmouth on Saturday.

Avram Grant insists Makelele is turning back the years. He said: "I told Makelele at the beginning that I would only use him when I needed him but I think he is becoming younger with every game.

"He is an intelligent player and is very calm with the ball. He is a great personality and always when we need him he is there."

There was plenty of supporting evidence for Grant in last night's win, achieved against a backdrop of vitriol aimed in Stephen Hunt's direction by Chelsea's fans, who have still not forgiven him for the challenge that fractured Petr Cech's skull.

Makelele broke up play impeccably as usual, thwarting lively opponents in the same pivotal way as he did at Everton last week, but he also probed going forward and produced defence-splitting passes.

Ballack got the goal in the 32nd minute with a well-timed header from Paulo Ferreira's cross but former Real Madrid player Makelele shared star billing and admitted he is thriving under Grant.

He said: "My responsibility is no longer just on the pitch. It is in training, off the pitch with the group and I am happy when I can do this to give my experience before I stop playing.

"I know the importance of thinking about your role in the team. I am in a good position to help the younger players with this and make them work better in the team.

"I wouldn't say my position within the team has changed during my time here, but I have taken on more. My job now is also to give all my experience-to the young players but playing again feels really good. Now I am in a good condition to play more games."

Grant had kept Makelele in the shadows specifically so that he could come to the fore in this difficult period and the plan is working a treat.

But with Frank Lampard close to a return and Portsmouth an outside possibility for his comeback the Frenchman may be getting a bit more rest soon.

The return of Essien and Mikel will make the squad's midfield department full to bursting with Shaun Wright-Phillips having also done well there and Steve Sidwell still waiting for a real run in the side.

Makelele's mature example to resting and rotation may again come in useful for some then but Ballack has been given a vote of confidence by Grant.

The manager said: "He is a modern player because he can do everything on the pitch and last night we saw his qualities.

"I have known him for a long time. I saw him play so many times in Germany with Leverkusen. At Bayern Munich one of his qualities was to come into the box and score and provide assists."