Chelsea’s manager, Antonio Conte has been forced to admit that the departure of former team’s technical director, Michael Emenalo left a huge void at Stamford Bridge and clearly led to most of the lapses they suffered during their torrid campaign.
The former Super Eagles defender ended a 10-year association with the Blues in November 2017 despite speculations that Roman Abramovich had tried to lull him to stay on.
The Nigerian has since joined forces with French Ligue 1 club, AS Monaco as their transfer director but the Chelsea gaffer still rues the fact that his departure had a huge effect on Chelsea’s not-so-satisfactory season.
“To lose Michael, it was a big loss for us, yes,” the Italian who could be taking charge of his last game for the Stamford Bridge outfit against Newcastle on Sunday was quoted as saying by The Guardian UK.
“I think so, I think so. Also because Michael did a great job for this club for many years. Last season he helped me a lot during the season.
”This season, until he left, he helped me a lot. I remember very well he left just after the Manchester United game … For me, for sure, it was a big loss in November.”
Emenalo’s niche for youth development saw him bring talented youngsters as well sign established stars for the London club during his stay there, working as an astute director for the coaching staff and club hierarchy, a sound disposition which led to quantum successes for the club.
While Chelsea face off against Newcastle in the final game of the league season harboring slim hopes of securing a top‑four finish, only a victory for them and a Liverpool loss to Brighton would be enough to achieve that objective.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
