Roman Abramovich's right-hand woman has become the only female on Chelsea's executive board, reports the Daily Mail. Marina Granovskaia took up the influential role today after years of being a key player behind the scenes.

Her role at the club has been expanding in recent years and she has been attending board meetings in an unofficial capacity since 2010, as well as acting as a transfer broker.

Her appointment to the Blues board will not change the way things operate at Stamford Bridge, merely formalise the structure.