Kanu Nwankwo Hails Michael Emenalo At 52

Nigeria’s football legend, Nwankwo Kanu has celebrated the technical director at the Premier League Football Club Side, Chelsea, Michael Emenalo as he turns 52 today, Thursday.

Kanu portrayed him as the most respected and influential African in European football.

The two-time African Player of the Year in an interview with Kwese ESPN said, “From his position at Chelsea he pulls a lot of strings, and I can’t think of another African in a similar position in Europe.

“He is in a very strong place where he takes care of everything from the academy and all the way to the first team.”

Papilo, the Nigerian Football legend as he is fondly called by most Nigerian football enthusiasts and supporters, spent most of his football career playing in different football clubs in Europe.

Kanu (Papilo), further said that, “For anyone, especially an African to get to a position like that, you need to know what you are doing and then have a bit of luck to have the contacts and connections.”

Former Chelsea Manager Avram Grant was the person who brought Emenalo to Chelsea having known him when he, Avram, was in Isreal with Maccabi Haifa.

Kanu said that Emenalo worked hard to be where he is today.

“You can have all the contacts and connections and if you don’t have the skill to deliver, you will not get anywhere.

“Emenalo has shown that he has what it takes to succeed because he has the knowledge to give the club exactly what they want. He has a good relationship with the club and its owners, and he is a hardworking person who does what the club needs him to do and looks out for the interest of the club.”

Kanu said the issue of fewer numbers of Africans, playing at Chelsea despite Emenalo’s position, doesn’t hold water.

“We have had Drogba there; we have had Mikel, Moses, Omeruo and some of the young boys in the academy. But that is not the issue. The truth is that if he doesn’t see what the club wants in a player, he cannot just sign them because they are Africans,” he said.

Kanu personally hailed Emenalo, saying: “I’ve met him a lot of times when I have been at Chelsea. He is a calm guy, not somebody who talks a lot. Not aggressive in the sense that when you meet him, he is very approachable.

“He is a very hard worker, just like he was as a player. He is till working hard outside the football pitch. That is what drives him and he is still moving on and growing in strength.”