Chelsea sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart will keep their jobs and are not under any pressure, according to the Telegraph.
All eyes are on manager Mauricio Pochettino, with a decision regarding his future expected after the final game against Bournemouth.
However, unlike Pochettino, Winstanley and Stewart reportedly retain the confidence of key figures within the Chelsea hierarchy, including co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali.
The pair will continue overseeing the club’s transfer strategy this summer. They plan to sign a forward, left-back, central defender and a new goalkeeper in the transfer window.
Winstanley and Stewart’s responsibilities extend beyond player recruitment, with insiders suggesting their contributions behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge and the Cobham training ground often go unnoticed.
Despite facing criticism earlier in the season for the squad overhaul that reduced average player age, the duo’s overall performance has garnered praise from upper management.
The appointment of director of global recruitment, Sam Jewell, will bolster the team’s scouting network under Winstanley and Stewart’s guidance.
The club has somewhat acknowledged past mistakes during the first transfer window under new ownership in 2022, but there’s a sense within the club that the duo’s efforts are beginning to yield positive results.
Winstanley, who commenced his role in November 2022, was joined by Stewart in February 2023, and they will look to Chelsea’s current form as positives from their recruitment.
Only Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal have accrued more points than Chelsea in the Premier League since January.
The team is on a three-game win streak and has only one loss in their last 13 games (W7, D5).
Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, Malo Gusto and Moises Caicedo have been excellent for the Blues and can form a strong core for the future.
Discussions will take place regarding Chelsea’s recruitment policy, including the possibility of revisiting the emphasis on signing younger players instead of pursuing seasoned professionals.
The sporting directors should face the fire like Pochettino
The arrival of Caicedo was exciting, but spending £115 million on a young, unproven talent was a risky gamble.
Jackson, while talented, should be learning from a seasoned striker, not leading the line alone.
Perhaps most concerning is the goalkeeper situation. The sporting directors signed Djordje Petrovic and Robert Sanchez last summer.
If they are confident in their previous acquisitions, why is there a need for another shot-stopper? These decisions raise serious questions about the club’s overall transfer strategy.
Unless a clear vision and a more measured approach emerge, Chelsea fans may continue to see their club fall short of its potential.
