Christoph Freund is among the ‘main names’ being discussed for the sporting director post at Chelsea.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano after it was announced in June that Marina Granovskaia was leaving her position at the Blues, with co-owner Todd Boehly named as a stand-in for the role.
Boehly played a major role in Chelsea’s transfer business this summer, and after the big decision to sack Thomas Tuchel and bring in Graham Potter, it appears that he is now looking to swiftly appoint a permanent director at Stamford Bridge.
At a press conference in New York (SALT, via talkSPORT), the American tycoon hinted that he’s considering a multi-club model similar to that of the Red Bull group, with a key figure behind the success of that ownership model now being targeted by the Blues.
Taking to Twitter, Romano posted: ‘RB Salzburg’s Christoph Freund is one of the main names on Chelsea list for the new director role, not the only one. Contacts positive — talks still ongoing with candidates.
‘Final decision expected in the next weeks, as Boehly wants a new director as soon as possible.’
As explained by Romano, Freund was responsible for bringing in Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko, at whom Chelsea fans will get a closer look tonight when the Austrian giants take on the Blues, as well as helping bring Erling Haaland to the club.
Sesko was the subject of transfer speculation regarding a potential £42m move to Manchester United in the summer, despite being just 19 years of age, while the Norwegian’s imperious goal record of 166 in senior club and international football at the age of 22 speaks for itself.
Romano said in his CaughtOffside column that Freund is “great at identifying talents and has a vision for the future, this is why he’s one of the most attractive candidates for Chelsea”.
He could be tasked with finding similar personnel at Stamford Bridge as Boehly seemingly looks to add another strand to the west Londoners’ recruitment strategy. More finds like Sesko and Haaland would be very welcome indeed.
