Chelsea to step up talks with Tim Steidten over sporting director job | OneFootball

Chelsea are planning to intensify talks with Bayer Leverkusen’s Tim Steidten over the sporting director role, reports the Guardian.

Blues’ owner Todd Boehly is actively looking for a sporting director and has already failed in the pursuit of RB Salzburg’s Christoph Freund.

The Austrian director had reportedly reached an agreement with the west Londoners, but only for the deal to collapse after Salzburg’s reluctance to sell him.

The Blues have now turned their attention towards Bundesliga outfit Leverkusen, identifying Steidten as the top candidate for the sporting director role.

After spending a few years as the head of scouting, the 43-year-old was promoted to the sporting director position by Leverkusen last summer.

Boehly had the chance to encounter Steidten this summer during the negotiations of Callum Hudson-Odoi’s loan move. The American billionaire was reportedly impressed with the German director.

The primary reason for Boehly’s admiration is Steidten’s data-oriented recruitment strategy, akin to Freund.

Steidten boasts an impressive CV as he has been responsible for Leverkusen unearthing talents such as Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Moussa Diaby and Piero Hincapie.

He also engineered the move for Patrik Schick in 2020, who has grown into one of the best strikers in Europe.

During the recent transfer window, Steidten helped Die Werkself sign highly-rated Czech talent Adam Hlozek.

Chelsea recently relieved head physio Thierry Laurent of his services as Boehly continues to make internal changes.

Graham Potter was appointed as the new manager of the Blues weeks ago following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.