17-year-old Landon Emenalo, son of former Chelsea Technical Director and Super Eagles World Cup star Michael Emenalo, made the matchday squad in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Liverpool in the English Premier League on Saturday.
The teenage midfielder was an unused substitute in the high-intensity clash at Stamford Bridge, but his inclusion in Enzo Maresca’s matchday squad marks a significant step in his budding career with the Blues.
Goals from Moisés Caicedo and Estevão Willian sealed the victory for Chelsea, while Cody Gakpo scored a consolation for Liverpool.
Landon’s father, Michael Emenalo, represented Nigeria at the USA ’94 FIFA World Cup, featuring in games against Argentina and Greece before the Super Eagles’ Round of 16 exit to Italy.
A left-back in his playing days, Michael earned 14 international caps for Nigeria between 1985 and 1995. He began his career with Rangers International of Enugu before moving to the United States, where he attended Boston University from 1985 to 1988. His professional journey saw him play for Molenbeek (Belgium), Eintracht Trier (Germany), Notts County (England), UE Lleida (Spain), and Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel).
After retirement, Emenalo built an impressive administrative career, serving as Chelsea’s Technical Director, later taking up a similar role at AS Monaco, and currently working as the Sporting Director of the Saudi Pro League.
With Landon now breaking into Chelsea’s senior setup, questions are already being asked about whether he might choose to represent Nigeria, following in his father’s international footsteps.
For now, the focus remains on his development under Enzo Maresca, but Nigerian fans will be watching closely as another Emenalo name begins to make headlines in world football.
