As a beautiful and discreet lady came to "have everything" at Chelsea

Forget Jose Mourinho, but think of hiring, sales and renewals. All major decisions of Chelsea are managed by it. Marina Granovskaia is the most powerful woman in world football. The Russian, with Canadian nationality, acts as the eyes and ears of Roman Abramovich inside Stamford Bridge. Who knows describe it as a beautiful, friendly but ruthless in negotiations and brilliant at her job.

"Marina is the true power of Chelsea. The Roman has full confidence in it. It is not interested in being a celebrity, but there is no doubt that it is she who controls and takes the most important decisions," said a source close to the club at the Evening Standard, in October last year. It is precisely at this time that the Russian 39 increases its dominance in Chelsea following the departure of chief executive Ron Gourlay. According to a statement from the club, the manager leaves the scene to pursue other business opportunities. But before that already Gourlay feels emptied powers due to the growing influence of Granovskaia.

                       

Little is known about this Russian. Does not like to give interviews, avoids public events and hardly are more than three or four photographs of her on the Internet. Your Facebook profile, set up in 2007, has high security settings. It is known, however, that grows in Moscow in the 80s and 90s, during the collapse of communism. Despite a turbulent social period, the young Marina finds the strength to study dance and music at the prestigious Academy 1113. In 1997, licenses in foreign languages at the State University of Moscow and starts working in the same year in Sibneft, the oil company Abramovich. It is the beginning of a relationship that has lasted for 18 years. In 2003 the oligarch buys Chelsea and Granovskaia flies to London, but only in 2010 begins to represent Russia at the helm. Three years later it officially as one of the directors and Chelsea begins to change.


Big business with David Luiz and Diego Costa

The start of the Abramovich era is marked by various financial follies. The club spends and not invoice, but the cycle is reversed with Granovskaia. Last season, Chelsea can make more than 200 million euros from the sale of players who do not count as first choices for Jose Mourinho: among them, Mata, Lukaku, Schurrle and David Luiz. All businesses are controlled by Granovskaia. Sells expensive (David Luiz for € 50 million) and cheap purchase (Diego Costa by 35 million).

She is also responsible for Mourinho's return before the hesitation of Abramovich. Despite the willingness of players and fans, the owner of Chelsea has not forgotten the differences with the Portuguese that led to "divorce" in 2007. The deal seemed at risk until Granovskaia spoke to the boss: ". We will bring you" Everything's solved. Traveled to Madrid, convinced Mourinho and the Special One introduced himself as One Happy to be able to return to the London club. With one key difference: unlike his first stint, this time Mourinho does not have unlimited funds. He suggested the players, and Granovskaia evaluated the worth in financial terms. Cavani and Pogba, for example, were expressed will of the coach, but Granovskaia abandoned operations as it considered them too expensive. The Colombian Falcao, who received 1.2 Mihao euros per month in Monaco, was forced to lower its earnings by almost half to represent the Blues on loan from the French. The Belgian Hazard is the highest paid of Chelsea, with 800,000 pounds (1 million euros) per month, representing the salary cap imposed by the club.

Time to renew contracts, Granovskaia also spares no one. Neither the historical captain John Terry. Last summer, the defender wanted to get more to stay connected to Chelsea and claims that the Russian will have told him "take it or leave it f ...". Translated: 'accepts or put you walk', with vernacular through.

"Stole" William Tottenham Pedro and the Man. United

It is often said that the secret is the soul of business and Granovskaia takes this seriously maximum. This is how we managed to divert William Tottenham in 2013/14, a club that, oddly enough, that time is driven by André Villas-Boas, former assistant of Mourinho. The Brazilian player was about to sign for Spurs, but Granovskaia prevented the deal to pay 35 million euros to Anzhi (former club of William), giving Mourinho of the requests reinforcements.

This season Chelsea does the same with Peter. The end of Barcelona was close to signing for Manchester United, but the blues got into motion a great move backstage. Mourinho and Fabregas spoke directly with the player and his wife, using the valuable assistance of Daniella Semaan, the Fabregas's girlfriend. Couples maintain a good relationship from the time Pedro and Fabregas were colleagues at Barca. At the same time, Granovskaia had secret talks with Barcelona, ​​closing the numbers of transfer while the leaders of the Reds traveled to Barcelona. Everything is done with cleanup without Manchester United notice what is happening.

Granovskaia is the most important part of the Chelsea structure. A former member of the technical team revealed to 'The Telepgraph' in May this year that Russia is part of the "personal gang Abramovich". "If someone wants to contact you, you must go through it. And if Abramovich will about the current form of the players or the team, it is she who asks the trainer" on behalf of the owner of the club.

Chelsea are doing the worst league start of the last 29 years. After five games, lost three games. One might think that Mourinho has a safe place because it was a personal bet Granovskaia? Wrong! It should only loyalty to Abramovich. This is how 18 years ago. And it seems that the scenario will not change.