In Chelsea, Emenalo, not Conte, is Boss

Ololade Adeyanju

Speculators over the future of Antonio Conte within weeks of landing the English Premiership title should not be a surprise.

The Chelsea manager’s relationship with the club has come under increasing strain in recent weeks, as he grew frustrated at a lack of transfer activity and guidelines that the players may have to be sold first before he can buy.

Conte also courted trouble when he publicly told the prolific Diego Costa that he would not be wanted in the coming season, thereby, not only diminishing his eventual transfer fee, but probably enlarging the price demanded by Everton for the ex-Chelsea striker, Romelu Lukaku.

However, there were reports the Italian met with Chelsea chief executive officer, Marina Granovskaia, on Sunday, and was suitably encouraged by discussions about his contract and plans for the summer.

It is understood Chelsea are willing to increase the 47-year-old’s salary to around £9.5 million-a-year and expect to make headway on transfers this week.

A further meeting, involving Conte and owner, Roman Abramovich, is also planned to take place over the next few days.

Further to that, Chelsea have continued talking to Everton about a deal for Lukaku and want to bring in Juventus left-back, Alex Sandro, plus Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco.

Also, free agent, Willy Caballero, has agreed to join as back-up goalkeeper, while Conte also wants a winger and a centre-back with Leonardo Bonucci of Juventus and Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng among the names discussed.

But recent developments have highlighted one thing about the principle employed by Chelsea and its owner. In Chelsea the manager is only just the manager, the Nigerian, Michael Emenalo is the boss.

Emenalo famously fell out with Jose Mourinho during the Portuguese manager’s two stints at the club, but on both occasions, the former prevailed.

He even offered his resignation when Chelsea brought Mourinho back for his second stint, but it was declined.

It is believed Mourinho and Emenalo disagreed about which players should be signed.

Emenalo is not a popular figure among the Chelsea fans, who see the power he has as being negative to the manager and coaching staff.

But the Nigerian has the final say on who the club should try and buy, though, works closely with the manager to identify realistic and attainable targets.

Writing about the second exit of Mourinho from Chelsea, the Independent had noted: “The fact that Emenalo gave that interview (about Mourinho’s sack) and felt so free to be so critical of Mourinho, speaks volumes about his authority and his confidence at the club. As technical director at Chelsea, overseeing recruitment at all levels, and with the ear of Roman Abramovich, he is one of the most powerful men in world football.

“Emenalo’s rise on to the Chelsea board, and into Abramovich’s trust, is one of the more surprising stories of the modern era at the club. All of the other board members have long-standing business ties with the owner.”

Mourinho won the league and was in crisis almost as soon as the next season started. Roberto Di Matteo won the Champions League and lasted roughly six months. Carlo Ancelotti did the Double in his first season and was sacked a year later.

Chelsea no longer lose fortunes in the transfer market. Chelsea sell to buy. Chelsea invest in the academy but largely use it as a revenue stream. All of these are powerful principles in which the manager plays no part. They are all Emenalo’s call.

Chelsea’s business is clearly not the manager’s business. Abramovich has had 12 managers in 14 years, not including short-term caretakers Ray Wilkins and Steve Holland. Yet Chelsea have been hugely successful.

As the writer observed in a recent article in MailOnline, Chelsea have a clearly defined outlook. But they do not, and will never, have an Arsene Wenger or Sir Alex Ferguson. They want Conte to sign a longer contract, but if he cannot stomach the lack of control, they will sacrifice him and find someone who will.

In Abramovich’s time, Arsenal have had one manager and he has led them to the Premier League title and four FA Cups. Chelsea’s 12 have won five Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League and Europa League.

The club has identified a philosophy that bypasses the manager and any upheaval from his departure. As technical director, Emenalo consults, but playing the market is his undisputed role.

There is no pure football philosophy in Chelsea as exists at Barcelona. Conte won the league playing in a very different way to his predecessors. Juan Mata was one of Chelsea’s players of the season in 2013 and, after a change of manager, relegated to the fringes, then sold to Manchester United in the January transfer window.

So it is not as if consistency is demanded, as if Chelsea’s philosophy encompasses playing style. Managers pass through. They succeed or leave and another is installed. The only constant is Emenalo.

Chelsea have bought well, and badly. Chelsea have sold successfully, and also in haste. Few youngsters come through, despite a fine academy. Still, Emenalo endures. A different standard is expected of managers.

Emenalo played 14 times for Nigeria, playing in defence.

His international highlight came when he appeared for his country in the 1994 World Cup. Although he missed the first came through injury he played against Argentina, Greece and Italy.

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