Xabi Alonso's first team staff in Hong KongXabi Alonso's first team staff in Hong Kong
Xabi Alonso's first team staff in Hong Kong
Chelsea’s new staff is in place, and it includes a very recognisable Premier League face for the first time.
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Chelsea have arrived in Hong Kong, and as well as players like Pedro Neto, Danny Welbeck and Mykhailo Mudryk joining them out there for training, there are also new faces on Xabi Alonso’s staff.
The coaching team have just done a group photo at their training base, and there’s a very notable (and rather distinctive) new feature in the form of Austin MacPhee.
There had been reports a couple of weeks ago that the set piece coach – formerly of Aston Villa – was set to join the club after his own post World Cup holiday (he was out there with Portugal).
And indeed now we have the proof – the long haired strategist is there lining up with the likes of Alonso, fitness coach Ismael Camenforte and “culture guy” Willie Isa.
Chelsea reshuffle set pieces in search for cutting edge
Coach Austin MacPhee of Portugal gestures during the FIFA World Cup 2026
Austin MacPhee (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Chelsea already had a set piece guru they had paid for – but Bernardo Cueva has been moved aside and upstairs, with MacPhee taking his day to day role with the squad. Let’s hope that leads to a tangible change in results.
Oh, and Calum McFarlane still hasn’t learned how to smile…
In other news…
Jon Obi Mikel is happy with a lot of the business Chelsea have done – but there’s one thing which is still puzzling him.
Trevoh Chalobah’s move to Como is finally happening – Fabrizio Romano has given it the “here we go” stamp.
The deal to sign Jordan Henderson is now completed, with Chelsea confirming the deal on their website today.