Chelsea close to formally appointing former Bundesliga man as new technical director

Club News: Chelsea close to formally appointing Christopher Vivell as technical director

According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg (h/t Daily Mail), Chelsea are close to announcing former RB Leipzig technical director Christopher Vivell as the new technical director at the west London club.

The 36-year-old left the German side in October and has since then operated in an advisory role at Stamford Bridge. However, after securing a work permit, he is now set to be formally appointed for the role at the Bridge.

Chelsea have been undergoing a drastic change with their backroom staff as co-owner Todd Boehly finally seems to be having his desired management team ready. Former Blues goalkeeper Petr Cech served as the technical director for three years, before leaving the role in the summer.

Boehly has been in the hunt for a technical director for some time. The west London side saw former Liverpool director Michael Edwards and RB Salzburg’s Christoph Freund reject this role, but now it seems that the American co-owner has found his man.

Vivell came through the Red Bull system and has been credited with signing the likes of Erling Haaland and Karim Adeyemi at the Bundesliga club. His joining us before the January transfer window will serve as a boost to Graham Potter.

Potter, who took charge of the club in September will head into his first window as the Blues manager. The former Brighton & Hove Albion manager is yet to sign a player, but will now also have the expertise of Vivell to assist him to bring in the best players.

The Blues spent heavily during the summer and bought in players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella, spending £271 million on transfers.

More Chelsea News:

• Chelsea youngster Cesare Casadei earmarked for a January loan move
• Transfer News: Chelsea to stall their pursuit of Ivan Toney till the summer window
• Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic on immediate focus and future at the club

With Vivell’s appointment, the club will likely now look to bring in young players and allow them to develop at the club, rather than bringing in already established superstars. It remains to be seen which all players the new to-be technical director brings in next month.