Claude Makalele was the best holding midfielder of the past twenty years, I don't think anyone would dispute that. A player like him who "plays it safe with backwards and sideways passes" is worth far more than a player who contributes lots offensively but gives the ball away often.
Just look at the Barcelona model - they have been the best club in Europe over the past ten years, and they are not built on long, exciting passes. They bore you to death with little five yard passes all over the pitch.
Would you disagree with any of that?
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