Report: Chelsea open talks with former rival sporting director

Chelsea make their move for former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards

According to the Daily Mail (h/t Liverpool Echo), Chelsea are said to have opened talks with former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards. But the club must overcome two hurdles to land the former director.

Co-owner Todd Boehly has been handling the role of sporting director after having let Marina Granovskaia leave. Boehly has been leading the hectic summer transfer business of the club with coach Thomas Tuchel also playing an active role.

Edwards has been tracked by Boehly ever since he left Liverpool at the end of last season, following the expiry of his contract. The man had established himself as one of the best in his line of work at Anfield.

Liverpool fans will surely be missing Edwards. After all he was the man who got the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk to sign for Liverpool. He was also involved in the negotiation for the big-money move of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona.

Not only this, but he also sold youngsters like Dominic Solanke and Rhian Brewster for over £20 million each. A genius and shrewd negotiator, he could be the perfect man to lead the transfer business for the Blues as they usher into a new era. However, Chelsea must overcome two of the biggest hurdles.

Firstly, Edwards made it clear that he wanted to take a year long break from football, before taking up any new challenge. Ideally, Chelsea want someone in the position next month and his break will have to be cut short if he joins. Second is the degree of control the new owners will be willing to give to their sporting director.

The second hurdle could be the most challenging one. Even if Boehly manages to convince Edwards to join, he would expect to be given freedom to conduct business as he sees fit. The question that arises is what if Tuchel and Edwards don’t share a common vision?

Such things tend to have an adverse effect on the club and all its members. Considering that Boehly is about to start his first full season with the club, a conflict between the coach and potential sporting director would not be a good omen for him.

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Edwards is an expert negotiator and clinical closer of deals. He is an excellent candidate for one of the most important positions in the club. It remains to be seen what deal Boehly can strike with Edwards and bring him to Stamford Bridge.