Roman Emelianov is thrilled with his chance to train with Chelsea.

Emelianov was discovered when Roman Abramovich led a Chelsea scouting mission to Konoplyov Academy in Togliatti, 700 miles east of Moscow and most famous as the home of Lada cars.

The teenager is a midfielder for the Russian Under 17 team and also plays for second division outfit FC Togliatti. He was pointed out personally by Abramovich as the most talented player of his age.

"For me it's like a fairy-tale," Emelianov told a Russian newspaper. "At first I couldn't believe it was happening to me. Last summer, Togliatti was visited by a delegation from Chelsea headed by Roman Abramovich.

"They watched me play in two matches. Later Abramovich came over to me and told me to begin learning English. I can't sign a professional contract in England until I'm 18. I'm going to train with Chelsea youths for another week or two and return home. But they say they will follow my progress and invite to training camps here four times a year."

Asked what impressed him most in London, Emelianov said: 'I won't forget a dinner Roman Abramovich invited me for.

"It was so unusual for me that I even felt a bit uncomfortable. Also I had a chance to play against Michael Essien. He is recovering from injury and they arranged a game for him involving two teams of Under 18 players. We played a match and Michael's team lost to mine 7-1.

"I was surprised that he's so small. On the telly he looked taller to me."