Austin MacPhee, the mastermind behind Aston Villa's potent set-piece arsenal, is in the crosshairs of Chelsea's recruitment team. The Premier League champions are locked in a high-stakes transfer tussle for the 46-year-old Scottish coach, with other top-flight clubs and Saudi Pro League outfits also sniffing around.
MacPhee's contract at Villa Park comes with a hefty price tag: his club will want a sizeable chunk of change to release him from his duties. The Birmingham-based outfit has reaped the rewards of his expertise, with Villa boasting an impressive record for set-piece goals over the past two seasons – including a remarkable 2023-24 campaign where they outscored every other team in Europe's top five leagues.
The Scot's influence extends far beyond Villa Park, having worked with Roberto Martinez to fine-tune Portugal's set-piece strategy over the past five years. His dual roles are a testament to his status as one of the most sought-after coaches in the game – and Chelsea are eager to snap him up for Stamford Bridge.
The Blues' pursuit of MacPhee comes at a time when new manager Xabi Alonso is putting the finishing touches on his backroom team. The set-piece coach's position opened up after Bernardo Cueva made the switch from a touchline role to a more behind-the-scenes position within the club, following his £750,000 arrival from Brentford in 2024.
This transfer tussle is just the latest instalment in the complex and often tumultuous relationship between Chelsea and Aston Villa. Just this week, Morgan Rogers made the switch from Villa to Chelsea for a reported £117 million – while Alejandro Garnacho headed in the opposite direction on an initial loan with an option to buy.