Real Madrid's polyvalent Spanish international defender Ivan Helguera believes England midfield star David Beckham will never fill the boots of former teammate Claude Makelele.

French midfielder Makelele moved to English Premiership big-spenders Chelsea this season after a protest at Madrid's refusal to increase his salary which he claimed was a fifth of what Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Beckham earn.

And Helguera, who also plays midfield, believes his friend Makelele is sorely missed by the Spanish champions, even with Beckham in their side.

"He (Beckham) doesn't match the defensive level of Makelele whatever anyone says," Helguera told the Futbolista magazine.

Helguera often worked in tandem with Makelele, but he finds Beckham, his partner this season, who has been converted from right winger to midfield defender, sorely lacking.

"He's not as defensive. He has a lot of technical quality, he helps a lot in defence and has a spectacular touch with the ball. He plays great football. It shows that he is happy and this allows him to play to his full capacity."

Helguera said however the arrival of coach Carlos Queiroz has not changed the Real system of play.

"Whatever coach arrives has to play with the system which we always use," he said.

"The team plays like that and it has worked for us these last few years. Imagine that (Fabio) Capello or another arrived - he couldn't ask Ronaldo to change his way of playing which has always delivered results."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP