It was always rumoured that Antonio Conte didn’t get on with Michael Emenalo, but speaking in his press conference today the Italian manager sounded genuinely saddened by his departure.
Asked whether it was a blow to him, Conte agreed and pointed out how much he had been helped both last season and this one by the Nigerian.
While it’s clear that Conte wasn’t happy with the transfer business that the club conducted over the summer – as evidenced by his extra grumpy demeanour around the window closing – it doesn’t seem that he blames Emenalo for any of this.
Conte on Emenalo: “For sure, this is a big loss for us. With Michael, our relationship was very good. He helped me a lot last season and also this season.” #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) November 17, 2017
The coach also said that while it was a loss to him, everyone should respect Emenalo’s professional decision to move on from the club.
We still don’t know how this power struggle will end up, but it certainly looks as though Conte has lost a big ally in the boardroom Game of Thrones.