When you think of Eidur Gudjohnsen, you probably picture a lethal striker—a key figure in Chelsea's first Premier League title under José Mourinho. But did you know he also had a surprising stint in midfield? It's a forgotten chapter of Chelsea lore, and it came with a little help from a legendary teammate who controlled him "like on the PlayStation."

Gudjohnsen was already at Stamford Bridge when Mourinho arrived in 2004, and he played a vital role in the club's historic 2004/05 title win. But by the following season, new attacking talent had arrived, pushing the Icelandic forward into a deeper role. It wasn't an easy transition, but Gudjohnsen embraced the challenge—and he had the perfect guide.

"It's a different mindset," Gudjohnsen recalled in an exclusive interview with Chelsea's official website. "I had to learn the defensive positioning a bit because, throughout my whole career, I was looking at the opposition goal rather than running towards my own. I remember playing there against Barcelona in 04/05, and I don't think I've ever run as much in my entire career."

The secret to his rapid adaptation? Claude Makelele. The French midfield maestro, known for his positional intelligence and calm presence, took Gudjohnsen under his wing. "We had Makelele behind Frank and myself. And when you have Makelele there, he just guides you. He controls you almost like on the PlayStation. He just tells you where to go, and you go there. That helped a lot. It made me adapt very quickly."

It's a fascinating glimpse into how a striker reinvented himself as a midfielder, thanks to one of the game's most underrated tacticians. For Chelsea fans, it's a reminder of the tactical flexibility that defined Mourinho's early teams—and a testament to the quiet brilliance of Makelele, whose influence went far beyond his own game.

Whether you're a lifelong Blues supporter or just love a good football story, this tale of positional change and teamwork shows that sometimes, the best moves aren't on the pitch—they're in the mind.