CHELSEA IN TALKS TO SIGN VILLA SET-PIECE COACH MACPHEE

Chelsea are in negotiations to recruit Austin MacPhee from Aston Villa as their new set-piece coach, according to multiple reports. MacPhee, a Scottish coach, has held the role at Villa Park whilst simultaneously working with the Portugal national team for the past five years under Roberto Martinez. Villa would be entitled to compensation for MacPhee, with his contract understood to contain a specified release clause. The move faces competition from other Premier League clubs and Saudi Pro League teams.

MacPhee's departure would follow other staff exits from Villa this summer. Under manager Unai Emery, Villa scored more goals from set-pieces than any other team in Europe's top five leagues during the 2023-24 season, and ranked among the top five the following season before finishing joint-top with Arsenal in the Premier League last season. Chelsea's new manager Xabi Alonso has space in his backroom staff after previous set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva, signed from Brentford for £750,000 in 2024, moved into a behind-the-scenes role rather than a touchline position.

The potential signing would continue Chelsea's summer recruitment activity. This week, Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for £117 million, with Alejandro Garnacho moving to Villa on an initial loan that is likely to become permanent through an option to buy. MacPhee's recruitment would represent further movement between the two clubs during the transfer window.