In what has become a regular occurrence following a successful season, vile forces in the corridors of Stamford Bridge are willing to risk everything for their moment in the limelight.
Via their personal bullhorn, The Telegraph of London, these forces have struck directly at manager Antonio Conte this morning in a disgraceful piece entitled Chelsea will not rip up winning formula to appease manager and Antonio Conte cannot hold Roman Abramovich to ransom
The opening paragraph alone is an insult that The Don will find very difficult to swallow:
“Antonio Conte will be fighting a losing battle if he tries to take full control of Chelsea?”
The sheer provocative nature of the opener is confirmed later when CFC board mouthpiece/Telegraph writer Matt Law admits Conte has not actually communicated any displeasure with the board! What the- ??!!
The rest of the piece is a cesspool of imaginary scenarios and threats of how CFC will repel any kind of interference from a mere manager.
And here`s the killer line:
“Despite managerial changes, Chelsea consistently win silverware and deal well in the transfer market. Even the players who make minimal impact on the first team are generally sold on for a profit.”
What a truly bizarre thing to write. Who does this paragraph benefit and praise?
Those familiar with my writing may remember a primer I delivered on how to read the media.
One of the beginner`s tricks is identifying the origins of quotes or ideas: when you read a contentious quote or bizarre piece of information, keep reading and the person the quote/idea benefits will appear in the piece by name.
In the meantime, examining the section above about how wonderful Chelsea`s transfer dealings are whether or not players actually end up playing for us(??!!), the architect of those transfers is? Michael Emenalo.
And, lo and behold, his name turns up in the piece. In the very last paragraph – a paragraph tacked on with no connection to what went before; as a favour perhaps:
“Chelsea technical director, Michael Emenalo was one of 23 candidates to be awarded with the Uefa Pro coaching licence at a graduation ceremony at St. George`s Park.”
So, to recap Matt Law`s trash: Chelsea managers come and go but the club always succeeds thanks to Michael Emenalo`s transfer dealings and Michael Emenalo is now a qualified Premier League coach too.
If, like me, you just threw up in your mouth, I share your pain.
At a time when we should be moving forward as one, hearts full of joy and expectation, ‘sickening` is the only appropriate word.