How Marina Granovskaia, the Chelsea negotiator, missed her chance to appease the fears of fans at the unveiling of Maurizio Sarri

Marina Granovskaia ignored a golden opportunity to bring crucial answers to worried Chelsea fans at Maurizio Sarri's press conference this week

The influential Blues director made the decision unusual to attend the inauguration of a new manager. The last coach to be named at Stamford Bridge was interviewed by reporters.

But while Sarri's words were insightful and revealing, the person with the answers that really mattered was silent in the audience.

She checked her phone, made a quick debriefing with the club's communications officer, and went out.

In all fairness, it was possible that Granovskaya spoke publicly the first time, it could have overshadowed the beginnings of Sarri. But with all the uncertainty surrounding the owner Roman Abramovich right now, Chelsea supporters deserved to hear some authority – and they do not become much more powerful than that. she.

The 43-year-old has been on the board since 2013 and effectively leads the club for Abramovich: taking care of player contracts; transfers, both in and out; and has a big word in management appointments.

Despite being the most prominent female working in the game, Granovskaia did not give a single interview. Bland's quotes in the club's internal media do not count.

A few years ago, she seemed to want to put an end to the silence when journalists were invited to attend a "women in football" event at Stamford Bridge, "

The organizers However, within days, it appeared that a public relations firm had jumped the rifle and what had been evoked as a possible idea was being proposed as a fact. Nothing has come out of it

There are many good reasons why Granovskaya should not be in the limelight. In addition to avoiding any scrutiny of what is happening with Abramovich, there could be embarrassing questions about some of his own decisions

The summer has not been relaxing for fans from Chelsea.

Abramovich asks for an investor visa The United Kingdom has been delayed and has chosen Israel as a place of residence.

It seems that the Russian billionaire is ready to sell after 15 years at the helm, although he has rejected a bid of 2 billion pounds the tycoon of chemicals Jim Ratcliffe, the man most rich of Britain, and gave other short-term demands.

In Pictures | Chelsea away kit 2018-19

A short, not very sweet statement was issued by the club in May, stating that the £ 1bn redevelopment of Stamford Bridge was put on hold, with no idea of ​​when , or so,

Then there was the prolonged withdrawal of coach Antonio Conte, a dispute that continues as the legal teams prepare to fight over whether the Italian will receive a compensation. That the Italian was still in charge of the pre-season start added to the image of a club in turmoil.

Certainly, Chelsea have won the title twice in the last four seasons, but he has also failed to qualify for the Champions League twice in the last three meetings

. The dangers are looking to leave West London. Since Granovskaia is in charge of the negotiations, why were not the Belgian internationals long-term tied to new long-term contracts?

Discussions started in 2017 and yet we are two of the best players in Chelsea with 12 months. two years remained on their contracts respectively. By trading on terms, Chelsea may lose a lot more.

Courtois seems certain to join Real Madrid for only £ 35.5 million because the Blues can not afford to let him go free. But it's an absolute market.

In 2015, Granovskaia told Real that the keeper was worth £ 73 million. Since then, he has won another Premier League title, an FA Cup and helped Belgium finish third in the World Cup by winning the Golden Glove Award to be the tournament's best goalkeeper. At age 26, his best years are coming and yet he is sold for less than half of what he was priced three seasons ago.

Granovskaia has done wonders to reduce Chelsea's net spending over the last four years, so it has been lower than that of Everton and Crystal Palace. But some transfer transactions were sloppy, like that of John Stones in 2015 and Romelu Lukaku last year. Some of the newcomers have been too expensive and, frankly, are not good enough.

Beating Manchester City in Jorginho was a step in the right direction, but the club can not afford it once. The problem is, the person who can provide all the guarantees on this score stays in the shadows.

Bet against someone like you, not the bookmaker, with a £ 20 risk free bet on The Betfair Exchange. New customers only, bet up to 20 € on the Stock Exchange and if your first bet loses, we will refund you up to 20 € in cash. Bet must be placed within the first seven days of opening the account. Full terms on promos.betfair.com