Chelsea: Highly-rated sporting director 'very high on list' at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea could now move to poach Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell at Stamford Bridge after the appointment of Graham Potter as manager, with the former midfielder viewed as an alternative to Michael Edwards, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

The Blues sacked Thomas Tuchel this week after a rocky start to the season and are now on the hunt for a new director of football to go alongside Potter’s arrival.

Edwards left his role as Liverpool sporting director at the end of last season and, according to The Times, chairman Todd Boehly had lined him up as a replacement for the outgoing Marina Granovskaia at Stamford Bridge in July.

The report also claimed that Manchester United were considering a move for Edwards at the time.

However, by mid-August, The Athletic had revealed that the 43-year-old had rejected the opportunity to take up the reigns with the two-time European champions.

Edwards apparently informed the Blues that he intended to take a break from football for the foreseeable future.

Boehly himself has been acting as an interim director following Granovskaia’s departure but Phillips has previously told GiveMeSport that appointing a permanent figure will now be a priority following Potter’s arrival.

But it appears he may now need to move to back-up options, barring a late change of heart from Edwards.

Phillips understands that Mitchell is being lined up as a backup option if a move for Edwards does not materialise.

The journalist adds that the former Manchester City player is very high on Chelsea’s list.

Phillips told GIVEMESPORT: “There’s Paul Mitchell as well, who’s sort of seen as more of a backup option, but still very high on Chelsea’s list and could come in as a director of football.”

The 40-year-old