Chelsea are in talks to appoint Aston Villa set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, though they face competition from other Premier League and Saudi Pro League clubs. His potential arrival would strengthen new manager Xabi Alonso’s coaching team, while Villa would be entitled to compensation because MacPhee reportedly has a release clause.

MacPhee, 46, has helped Villa become one of Europe’s strongest set-piece teams and has also worked with Portugal for five years. Villa led Europe’s top five leagues for set-piece goals in 2023-24, were again among the top five the following season, and finished joint-top with Arsenal in the Premier League last season; Chelsea’s current set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva is expected to move into a behind-the-scenes role.