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How does player recruitment process work in Chelsea?

Chelsea’s Manager, Antonio Conte, has often referred to “the club” when asked who signs new players at Stamford Bridge.

Following Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat by Arsenal in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, when asked about potential deals to sign striker Eden Dzeko and full-back Emerson Palmieri in a post-match press conference, Conte said:

“I don’t like to speak about the transfer market, for this issue there is the club.”

Who is “the club”?

Player strategy is set by Coach Antonio Conte, but only in agreement with club Director Marina Granovskaia. She is responsible for player transactions and has a wider brief, including overseeing the academy and scouting structure, following the departure of Technical Director, Michael Emenalo in November 2017.

Has Emenalo’s departure affected the club this month?

Emenalo however, never had sole control over new transfers as a result of the type of structure Chelsea adopted. He worked alongside Granovskaia, who worked as a Personal Assistance to owner, Roman Abramovich, who became involved in Chelsea transfer activity just under a decade ago, in 2013.

While Chelsea is yet to replace Emenalo, and may well be considering another structure, Granovskaia has been elevated to the position of pushing and purchasing player, with little or no indication of replacing Emenalo.

Who has the final say on buying new players?

The transfer sign-off moves through Conte to Granovskaia to Abramovich. A final financial decision lies with the owner, with Granovskaia in charge of negotiations. Abramovich’s involvement is generally to consider the plan and targets and give the go ahead.

It is safe to say he has more knowledge of deals being done in each window than some other Premier League club owners. However, he reportedly does not personally get involved in the specifics of deals or negotiations.

Has this made Granovskaia the most powerful figure at Stamford Bridge, aside Abramovich?

On transfer issues, she is the most influential person in terms of finalising new deals. She is one of a three-person club board, which also includes Bruce Buck and Eugene Tenenbaum.

Does the structure work?

The system ensures a Manager does not have complete control over everything behind the scene. Chelsea will point to the fact that, since 2009, they have won the Premier League and FA Cup three times, the Champions League, Europa League and EFL Cup.

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