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Chelsea's 'First Lady of Football' Marina Granovskaia governed from the shadows, was revered for her direct style and was Roman Abramovich's eyes and ears on the ground but under new ownership it is time the Blues navigate the waters without their shark

The apparent vanishing act of Marina Granovskaia brings to mind a story which sums up the anonymity in which this 'First Lady of Football' liked to work while governing Chelsea.

In February of this year, Thomas Tuchel took his squad and staff to Italian restaurant Grappelli, a five-minute drive from the training ground in Cobham, Surrey. It was to thank them for their efforts ahead of the Carabao Cup final later that month and Granovskaia was invited.

Magician David Redfearn was hired as entertainment for the Wednesday evening get-together. He posed for a picture with Tuchel and Granovskaia, who were sat next to each other, and posted it to his social media channels.