Son of key Chelsea figure from Roman Abramovich’s era ‘fast-tracked to first-team training on his 16th birthday’ and is already set to play for their U21 team
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The son of a key figure from Roman Abramovich’s time at Chelsea is set to make his debut for the Blues Under-21s.
Chelsea’s development team will face Colchester United in the Premier League Cup on Monday evening.
The Blues squad for the match at Kingsmeadow Stadium will reportedly include the son of the club’s former technical director.
According to the Evening standardLandon Emenalo is in line to make his debut for the under-21 side in the match.
Emenalo was reportedly referred to first-team training last week, on his 16th birthday.
Landon Emenalo, centre-right, could make his debut for Chelsea Under-21s on Monday
His father Michael Emenalo initially joined Chelsea in 2007 as chief scout, before being promoted to first-team assistant coach in 2010.
Emenalo was appointed Chelsea’s technical director in 2011 and served in the role for six years.
He was a vital part of the Abramovich era at the club, when the Blues won the Champions League for the first time in 2012.
Emenalo left Stamford Bridge in 2017, with the official taking pride in placing great emphasis on the academy system, which has produced England internationals including Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
His son Landon could be one of the next players to leave the club’s youth academy.
The teenager plays in central midfield, but has also been deployed as a No. 10 and as a left back.
Emenalo is eligible to represent three countries, including England and the United States.
His father Michael Emenalo (left) was technical director during the time of Roman Abramovic
Emenalo was a key figure behind the scenes at Chelsea before leaving the club in 2017
He scored a 2-0 win over Ireland in England’s under-16s in December, a month after joining the United States age group for a development camp.
Emenalo can also represent Nigeria, where his father played internationally.
Michael Emenalo won fourteen caps for Nigeria and marked Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta at the 1994 World Cup.
He was seen as one of the team’s standout players during the tournament.
Since leaving Chelsea, he has worked as Monaco’s technical director before becoming director of football at the Saudi Pro League.