Recent fixtures were postponed and the upcoming international holiday have been canceled. Chelsea’s ownership a welcome opportunity to focus on other areas, as the Todd Boehly-led consortium continue to overhaul the club following their takeover from Roman Abramovich earlier this year.
After the closing of the transfer window, Graham Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel as manager after subsequent managerial upheaval.The Stamford Bridge hierarchy has intensified the search for a sporting director. There is a good chance it will be Christoph Freund.
The Austrian currently occupies that role with Red Bull Salzburg — who drew 1-1 at Chelsea in the Champions League group stage last week — and Boehly has voiced his admiration for the Red Bull model, which also features RB LeipzigIt also includes the New York Red Bulls in their sporting portfolio.
It comes as no surprise that Chelsea’s work to strengthen their set-up led to them exploring the possibility hiring Oliver Mintzlaff (RB Leipzig chief executive).
Although Tom Glick’s arrivals as president of business indicates a CEO is not an immediate priority, that could change in the future and Mintzlaff is among a number of individuals who have been spoken to as Chelsea attempt to prepare and strengthen their structure for the years ahead.
According to some reports, the 47-year-old German was of particular interest to west London’s regime. A meeting was held amid a sense that he might be a good match for what they wanted.
But with two sides in contact over the summer (Chelsea’s sale of Timo Werner and interest in Josko Gvardiol some of the conversations) it was decided to park the matter until the market shut.
This gave them both time to consider whether they wanted to continue their discussions. In the end, they decided to stop talking. Mintzlaff will remain where he is.
Mintzlaff was once a long-distance runner and a marketing boss. He joined Leipzig in 2014. He helped establish them as Champions League regulars, and was shrewd in player development and trading.
Clubs are keen to travel outside Europe to play Champions League games
This week brings the latest meeting of UEFA’s executive committee on the Croatian island of Hvar, before the general assembly of the European Club Association (ECA) in Istanbul later in the week, Adam Crafton writes.
The ECA represents the interests of clubs that regularly compete in European football’s major competitions, such as UEFA’s Champions League. These conferences bring together executives to discuss ways they can help grow the sport and increase revenues.
The Athletic has learnt that one option favoured by some of the most powerful club executives in European football involves taking Champions League games outside of the continent to make meaningful games more accessible to the clubs’ global fanbases.
The Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who also chairs the ECA and is a member of UEFA’s executive committee, is among those supportive of such discussions, with leading club executives open to fixtures taking place in major markets such as the US, China or the Middle East.
The idea is not a policy but an idea. Any attempts to move the competition overseas would likely face opposition from European fans. Sources close to discussions say that the initial steps will be focused on early group games and not high-stakes knockout matches.
Another option to take outside of Europe may be the Super Cup — the meeting between the previous season’s Champions League and Europa League winners. UEFA is already considering the introduction of a four-team mini-tournament at the start of each season, which would include the previous season’s Champions League winners and three other leading teams in what would be referred to as the “Opening Tournament”.
UEFA, following the collapse of the Super League Project last year, gave more power to clubs by forming a joint venture to find marketing partners to help sell commercial rights to European club competitions in 2024-27.
In February this year, UEFA and the ECA appointed Team Marketing and Relevent Sports Group as sales partners for the men’s club competitions.
In March, Al-Khelaifi said they had seen an “amazing 39 per cent increase in the forecasted commercial value of the men’s UEFA club competitions for the post-2024 cycle”. The first three markets that have gone to tender have produced significant revenue growth — an increase of 20 per cent in the UK, 25 per cent in France and 150 per cent in the US (excluding Spanish-language rights, which are still to be sold).
Some clubs are open to the idea of playing in foreign markets like the US, China, or the Middle East (Photo by Getty Images).
When the ECA released last week its research on the changing nature football fandom, it highlighted the case for international matches. Survey results showed that 34% in China and 28% in America were influenced by major football events to get started.
The report added: “This highlights that there are opportunities for European clubs and competitions to build on this interest and influence; to increase the availability of European club football to these audiences and allow exposure to these events to continue building further and deeper interest and engagement.”
Sources close by the discussions said there was no harm in discussing ideas and suggested that the UEFA/ECA joint enterprise is the environment in which commercial ideas should be discussed. This is at a moment when clubs are trying to find new revenue streams post-COVID-19.
This week’s ECA summit will also host Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1, as European football seeks to learn lessons and hear expertise from sports that have grown their audiences substantially in the US in recent times. The Harvard Business School has previously hosted talks at previous summits. LiverpoolPeter Moore, chief executive, delivering a session about opportunities related to the metaverse
Phillips will undergo shoulder surgery next week, amid optimism that he is able to make a full recovery World Cup
It’s a difficult start to your life Manchester CitySome have wondered if Kalvin Phillips could lose his job. England place ahead of the World Cup — and that possibility was heightened on Saturday when it emerged he may need surgery on a shoulder injury.
Phillips could be in for a long recovery time if he takes such an action. Phillips has only appeared three times competitively since the swap. Leeds United for City in July, faced a race against time to make Gareth Southgate’s squad.
With other midfield options available to Southgate — including Declan Rice, Jordan HendersonJude Bellingham James Ward-Prowse — a seat on the plane to Qatar looks less certain for Phillips than it was when he helped England to the Euro 2020 final.
The 26-year old is determined to make sure he’s available. He has an operation scheduled for next week, and there is optimism among City staff that he’ll be able to play in the tournament.
Phillips has had shoulder injuries in the past and will need surgery this week. (Photo: Getty Images).
Phillips has grown into a key player for his country after an international breakout at last summer’s European Championship. Since his debut two-years ago, the Yorkshireman has won 23 caps.
The Leeds academy graduate — transferred to City for an initial £42million ($48m) — was called up for England’s Nations League games away to ItalyAnd at home against GermanyLater in the month. But, the shoulder problem has forced him out.
Everton start Iwobi contract talks
Everton are looking to stabilise after a tumultuous period and an important part of their plans — especially before moving to a new stadium — is to renew the contracts of their most important players.
They want to lock down key men like goalkeepers Jordan PickfordA highly-coveted winger Anthony GordonThey are working to ensure the future of Alex Iwobi, it can also be seen.
Iwobi was not happy with his start when he arrived from Arsenal in 2019, but he has hit form and become something of a fans’ favourite thanks to the increasingly pivotal role he is assuming in Frank Lampard’s midfield. He assisted in the goal-winning assist on Sunday. Neal Maupay’s strike beat West HamGoodison Park: 1-0
The 26-year-old is contracted until 2024 and has said this is his “most enjoyable time” at the club. Everton opened talks with Everton amid the upturn. NigeriaInternational about a new deal
Preliminary conversations have taken place in regard to Iwobi — as well as team-mates like Pickford and Gordon — and that dialogue is set to ramp up in the coming weeks, with the Goodison Park hierarchy seeking to extend their careers on Merseyside.
Ten Hag is interested in January signings Manchester UnitedKeeping the summer in mind
Manchester United does not have a match until they face Manchester City in October 2. Erik ten Ha will use the break for an evaluation of his squad, and to plan any additions.Laurie Whitwell
“We have many meetings — we have to improve the structures in and around the club,” Ten Hag said. “And we will also look to the window in January or next summer already.”
Ten Hag was very clear in mentioning the winter window. He wants to be able to complete the next stage of his reconstruction as soon as possible, having seen early signs of encouragement from the signings he led. There may need to be some reconciliation between Ten Hag’s aspirations and budget realities, however.
United had a net spend of more than £200million this summer, almost double the original projections when Ten Hag took charge, and therefore funds are expected to be very tight when the winter market opens. Owner Joel Glazer, chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough are focused firmly on summer 2023 as the next opportunity to significantly add to Ten Hag’s squad.
United didn’t sign a contract at the beginning of 2022, and they haven’t done much business in recent years midway through the season. (The transfer of Bruno FernandesJanuary 2020 is an exception.
That said, Ten Hag has already shown himself a strong personality on recruitment — pressing for Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Christian EriksenAnd AntonyAfter two, you can get more money. Premier LeagueHis chances of winning a successful first campaign were in grave jeopardy, according to his defeats. Under pressure, Glazer, Arnold, and Murtough. After a devastating loss at Brentford, support Ten HagA late indulgence was approved by the government. All proceeds from sales will be available for investment.
Ten Hag encouraged United after a difficult start to his tenure to sign Antony (Photo: Getty Images).
It was Ten Hag’s decision to go all out for Antony, who became the second most-expensive signing in United history (behind Paul Pogba), rather than bring in a right-back, which would have been targeted if money was no object. In any case, Diogo Dalot’s form has perhaps lessened the urgency.
Multiple industry sources suggest that United overspent on its six summer signings. Cannier recruitment would grant greater flexibility on transfers, which may be what Ten Hag was hinting at in his “improve the structures” comment.
Bowen’s next England cap will earn Allams £1million despite selling Hull
Jarrod Bowen will be aiming to strengthen his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad over the next week and doing so would bring a £1million windfall for Hull City’s former owners, Assem and Ehab Allam, Phil Buckingham
Bowen received his four first England caps at the close of last season. HungaryAn add-on to the deal that sent Bowen to West Ham United (January 2020) will be available for Italy and Germany in Nations League.
The transfer was an initial outlay of £14million but included clauses for additional payments and Bowen winning five England caps was one of those.
That will mean an appearance against either Italy or Germany in the next week will see West Ham pay £1million, but that money has already been ring-fenced for the club’s former owners, The Allam family.
As part of the agreement struck that saw Hull sold for £20million to Turkish businessman Acun IlicaliIn January, legacy payments for former players, such as Bowen who were sold before the takeover, would be transferred to the Allams.
Bowen spent five and a half years with Hull after joining the club’s academy from Hereford United in 2014. Bowen, a winger, scored 54 goals in 131 appearances prior to his transfer to West Ham on the last day of the winter window 2020.
Cardiff to give Hudson chance after sacking Morison
After their defeat to Cardiff City, Steve Morison was fired as Cardiff City manager. Huddersfield TownThe club is now 18th in Championship after a hard start to the season.
Cardiff are not planning to make a permanent appointment to replace Morison in the immediate term — it is believed they intend to leave Mark Hudson, who has been named as caretaker, in charge for now. Hudson will be given an opportunity to steer the team forward.
Sol Bamba is among those who would be interested in taking on the role, if available. The 37-year old is well-known from his time as a player for the Welsh side, where he was promoted to the Championship in 2017-18.
He is also qualified and known for having support from staff across a number departments at the club. Bamba also trained the club’s under-23 side when he was with Cardiff and is said to have impressed people with his methodology, style and connection with the players.
MiddlesbroughPalace to recruit head of scouting
Middlesbrough has landed Chris Jones, a highly-respected head of scouting, to end their search. Crystal Palace, Dominic Fifield
Jones, who previously served at Wolves, Huddersfield and Leeds Norwich, will oversee the Championship club’s scouting and recruitment analysis departments, working closely with the club’s head of football, Kieran Scott.
Scott, whose title is similar to that of a director, was able to confirm earlier this year that they were in the process of finding a senior person to work with them. Jones and Scott have been friends since their time at Norwich, when Scott was the head of recruitment.
Jones, who had been living at Carrow Road since the summer 2021, moved to Palace to assume the role of UK/international scout. This was the position that focused on the first team during the Premier League’s ambitious overhaul of their senior squad. Jones reports to Dougie Freidman, the sporting chief at Selhurst Park and is part of the Premier League side on friendly terms.
