Mike Emenalo may be sacrificed in ‘operation revive’ Chelsea

Former Nigerian international and Chelsea’s Technical Director, Michael Emenalo, may have to go, if the incoming coach, Antonio Conte, is allowed to carry out his plans.

Conte is expected to be named permanent coach in the summer, and there are suggestions that the Italian national team coach is determined to bring trusted coaches Angelo Alessio, Massimo Carrera and Paolo Bertelli with him, as well as scout Mauro Sandreani.

It means Emenalo’s position as Chelsea’s Technical Director must come into question and the same goes for some of director Marina Granovskaia’s negotiating tactics.

On July 8, 2011, Chelsea appointed Emenalo Technical Director. His responsibilities include heading the scouting and academy programs. On 10 June 2013, he formally requested that his contract be terminated to facilitate the return of José Mourinho. His request for termination was denied.

Chelsea are in the biggest crisis under Roman Abramovich — and the owner must change his ways if they are to recover.
The club would not have won 13 major trophies since 2003 without the Russian, however, the lack of a long-term plan has now cost him and the club.

There are too many voices in Abramovich’s ear with their interests, rather than Chelsea’s, at heart. A hap-hazard transfer policy has weakened the squad markedly now that trusted members of the old guard like Petr Cech, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole are not around to pick up the pieces and John Terry is set to leave in the summer.

Chelsea used to have a wealth of quality options from which to choose yet Wednesday night turned to 20-year-old Bertrand Traore, making just his 10th appearance, to rescue them. How the mighty have fallen.

Antonio Conte is expected to be named permanent coach in the summer and the time has come for a manager to be given time — and more control over how everything is run.

Until now, the coach has been more like a hired hand, his opinion only carrying so much weight. Too often, players have been bought and the boss asked to fit them in, rather than being his choice.

The lack of clear thinking is demonstrated by Chelsea having more than 30 players on loan, many of whom have no future at the Bridge.

So much money has been wasted on mediocre talent, including last summer when former manager Jose Mourinho wanted two or three quality first-team players like Paul Pogba and John Stones but ended up with Pedro, Abdul Baba Rahman and Asmir Begovic.

Given Chelsea’s lack of Champions League football next season, it is vital Abramovich gets his chequebook out again but trusts Conte to use it, rather than listen to his trusted advisors.
Culled from London Evening Standard