Michael
Emenalo has thanked Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich for backing his wisdom
not to "abandon" the academy.
The former Chelsea technical director has revealed one of the club's
managers suggested ditching it during his tenure because it "seemed like a
waste" of funds.
In part due to a transfer ban, Chelsea's hierarchy installed Frank Lampard
as manager this season with an ethos of promoting the club's wealth of youth
talent.
It is so far paying off with Chelsea pushing for a top-four place and the
likes of Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount breaking into the
England senior set-up.
Emenalo, who left Chelsea to join Monaco in 2017, told the Daily Telegraph:
"It's amazing what is unfolding.
"What's happened with these boys, you can only feel pride. Not just for the
boys, but thankful for the effort a lot of people who have had a lot of
input into all of these boys succeeding.
"I defended the academy when there was pressure and doubt and pessimism. A
manager came in to make a presentation to say the academy was not necessary.
The argument was it takes too long, and that the owner should stop pumping
money into it because it seemed like a waste.
"I had to fight against it. This is where I am very, very proud of the
owner, because of the trust he had 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.
"Of course, you always need some luck and that luck has come with the
transfer ban and with the appointment of Frank and his assistants, Jody
Morris and Joe Edwards. It doesn't mean it will be smooth sailing from here,
it just shows that it is possible.
"The policy was always to have the players grow together and to grow the
culture. You saw it at Barcelona with Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta and [Sergio]
Busquets. You build a really, really wonderful football culture - a Chelsea
culture - and this is where identities come from and these guys will play
and care for this club for you to come."
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