Chelsea still hold faith in technical director Michael Emenalo despite Antonio Conte’s admiration of Walter Sabatini.

Fresh reports in Italy over the weekend suggested former Roma transfer guru Sabatini was London-bound to take up a recruitment-focused role at Stamford Bridge.

But Emenalo’s position is not in immediate danger after surviving several managerial changes and staff shake-ups in his nine years at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are set to keep faith with technical director Michael Emenalo

Emenalo has been with Roman Abramovich (right) and Chelsea for the last nine years

The former Notts County defender is highly rated by owner Roman Abramovich, who values his work and experience in heading up the club’s complex system of loans and recruitment across Europe.

Former Roma transfer guru Walter Sabatini has been linked with Chelsea in recent months

Sabatini was responsible for bringing in stars Miralem Pjanic and Erik Lamela who each made big money for Roma when sold

WALTER SABATINI KEY ROMA TRANSFER DEALINGS Erik Lamela - £10m / sold for £25.5m Marquinhos - £3.9m / sold for £27m Miralem Pjanic - £10m / sold for £26m Kevin Strootman - £16m / current Mehdi Benatia - £12m / sold for £23.9m Radja Nianggolan - £12.75m / current Advertisement

Conte, though, would like to find a way to work with Sabatini, credited with the emergence of Miralem Pjanic, Erik Lamela and Radja Nainggolan at Roma.

One option would be to change Emenalo’s role to make room for the Italian but no decision has been taken on such a switch-up.

Earlier this year Sabatini denied previous reports of a move to Chelsea, citing his ‘terrible’ English as a reason not to head to London.

Chelsea dealt with the chain-smoking 61-year-old in their failed summer push to sign Belgian midfielder Nainggolan.

Chelsea's Italian boss Antonio Conte is said to have a huge desire to work with Sabatini

The Blues have dealt with Sabatini before when trying to sign Radja Nainggolan in the summer

But Sabatini quit his director of sport role at Roma earlier this month having repeatedly hinted at his dissatisfaction in the Italian capital.