
Former Chelsea director Michael Emenalo, has revealed how he defended the Chelsea academy during his time at the club.
Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich spent lots of money into making the Blues academy a world-class institution, and according to Emenalo, a former Chelsea manager didn’t want that.
The former Chelsea chief told the Telegraph: “I defended the academy when there was pressure and doubt and pessimism.
“There was a time when there was a clamour to do more and a manager came in to make a presentation to say the academy was not necessary.
“The argument was it takes too long, we don’t have time, we should use it to make some money here and there, and that the owner should stop pumping money into it because it seemed like a waste.
“But that wasn’t my idea and I had to fight against it.
“This is where I am very, very proud of the owner Roman Abramovich because of the trust he had in me and the willingness to listen to me and give the academy time.
“He would not abandon it. He believed in it and in me, and I can’t thank him enough for that.”