Chelsea are in talks to sign Aston Villa set-piece guru McPhee

Chelsea Negotiations are underway to sign highly regarded set-piece coach Austin MacPhee Aston Villa But faces competition from other Premier League clubs as well as Saudi Pro League teams.

Villa is understood to have a specific release clause attached to his contract that would see him receive appropriate compensation for McPhee.

The Scottish coach, 46, combines his role at Villa Park with the same position with the Portugal national team for the past five years under Roberto Martinez, who stepped down after the World Cup.

Villa have scored more goals from set-pieces than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues in the 2023-24 season.

They ranked in the top five after one season and finished joint-top with it Arsenal In the Premier League last season.

McPhee will be one of many staff members to leave Villa Park this summer after helping the club win the Europa Conference League and qualify for the Champions League under manager Unai Emery.

new Chelsea Manager Xabi Alonso replaced his current backroom staff with former set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva, who joined Brentford For £750,000 in 2024, moving away from a touchline role and into a behind-the-scenes position.

Chelsea Signed by Morgan Rogers Aston Villa For £117m this week, Alejandro Garnacho is moving in the other direction with an initial loan that will likely be made permanent via an option to buy.