Chelsea's Jules Kounde fate depends on Marina Granovskaia call as £50m revelation raises
stakes
Barely any Chelsea supporters have ever heard Marina Granovskaia speak.
Her actions have been at the forefront of how her reputation has been built, how the
perception of the club's "iron lady" was forged behind closed doors in secret negotiations
and transfer dealings.
But for those in attendance at the annual Golden Boy awards before Christmas, where
Granvoskaia was recognised as the Best Club Director in European football in 2021 at a
ceremony in Italy, the Russian-Canadian uttered words that would recently come to the attention
of fans online.
"I was surprised an individual award for my job in football even exists."
she joked, quickly turning her praise to the club and team.
"Maybe if there is one secret about Chelsea or if there is a secret for our success, then
it is probably the people that create that environment that allows us all to be successful".
Those who have met Chelsea's respected director have all relayed her ability to be disarmingly
charming, her ability to make people feel at ease, before bending a conversation to
her perspective.
Even if it was a brief 36-second clip, fans got a glimpse into that perspective.
It is these qualities that have allowed Chelsea to remain ahead of the curve, able to gain
progress in major transfer deals and maintain important relationships.
As Chelsea's process of being sold comes into its final stages, a process Granvoskaia will
have influence over, it is imperative she remains a core part of the club for at the
very least, this summer.
Her power and influence in the club have only grown over the last decade and in relation
to transfer business, it remains a mystery how new ownership is going to approach the
imminent summer window.
A period that as recently as one month ago, felt vital for the club's ambitions with multiple
players targeted.
Names that have become familiar to fans, but have also been aided by Granvoskaia's negotiations.
Sevilla's Jules Kounde, a player who seemed destined to arrive in west London last summer
has not dropped off the Blues' radar, with reports emerging from Spanish outlet Sport
that Sevilla is 'doomed to sell' their star defender this summer, with previous negotiations
with Chelsea already some way down the line last year.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Chelsea were leading the race for £50million-valued
Leeds United winger Raphinha before the UK Government's sanctions on Roman Abramovich.
Monaco's Aurelien Tchouameni has been a widely known target for over a year now, with Declan
Rice's potential return to his boyhood club always remaining a dream.
With the aim by Raine that a deal will be concluded by May and the subsequent lifting
of sanctions, Chelsea has a lot of work to do in the transfer window.
Not only with desired signings for Thomas Tuchel but potential sales, contract negotiations
with the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and more.
It would be flippant to dismiss Granvoskaia's expertise so suddenly, even if her departure
following Abramovich might appear to some as a matter of when and not if.
In a dream scenario, Chelsea would keep their admired director, in a new structure with
her at the forefront of negotiations where her reputation has been built.
Even if a specialist sporting director or other personnel entered the club, replacing
the wisdom of Marina Granovskaia will cost more than any deal they could do this summer.