ROMAN Abramovich has shown
Chelsea manager-in-waiting Jose
Mourinho who’s the boss by refusing
to axe one of his key men at Stamford
Bridge. Mourinho wanted the Blues’ technical
director Michael Emenalo – the eyes
and ears of Abramovich – to be
dismissed prior to his return. Carlo Ancelotti says his position at Chelsea has not changed despite the promotion of Michael Emenalo, right, to assistant coach. But Starsport can reveal the 47-year-
old Nigerian ex-international has been
told his job is safe, even when the
departing Real Madrid boss returns to
London this summer. In another development that shows
the power of Abramovich, Mourinho
has made no attempt to contact Blues
star Frank Lampard. Russian billionaire Abramovich seems
adamant the midfielder, who was
expected to equal or break Bobby
Tambling’s Blues goals record of 202
against Basel last night will not be
offered a new deal. Lampard had been hoping to hear
from his former boss Mourinho, but
there has been no contact. It’s thought Lampard, 34, who is
mulling over offers from Manchester
United and LA Galaxy, will wait to see
if Mourinho can change Abramovich’s
mind. But it seems Mourinho does not want
to get on the wrong side of
Abramovich by making too many
early demands. Incoming players – and Zenit St
Petersburg striker Hulk is top of his
list – are of more immediate concern
to the Portuguese. Interim boss Rafa Benitez was asked
yesterday how he felt about his rival’s
constant hints at returning to Chelsea
this summer. “Each one has his way,” said Benitez.
“My way is to concentrate on the next
game. That’s it.”

-Vanguard