bigbluewillie

And... Chelsea are targeting RB Leipzig chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff to take up the role of technical director at Stamford Bridge. (Athletic - subscription required)

Christoph Freund has confirmed he will remain as RB Salzburg's sporting director despite interest from Chelsea. It is understood Freund held talks with the Premier League club but Salzburg say no formal approach was made. "When a club like Chelsea is interested in you, it is a big honour not just for you, but also for the work of the club in general," said Freund. "But I've come to the conclusion that FC Red Bull Salzburg is the best place for me." He added: "We're in the middle of a very intense phase and have important tasks to do in the Bundesliga, cup and Champions League - that's what my whole focus and concentration are on." Freund, 45, would have overseen player recruitment at Stamford Bridge alongside manager Graham Potter, who was appointed earlier this month to replace the sacked Thomas Tuchel. Chelsea are keen to appoint a sporting director after chairman and co-owner Todd Boehly fulfilled the role in an interim capacity over the summer. The Premier League club have been speaking to several candidates about the role, and want to ensure someone is appointed before the World Cup in November. It is understood that Boehly and other senior sources are keen on the data-driven approach to recruitment used by Salzburg and fellow Red Bull team Leipzig, who play in the Germany Bundesliga. Salzburg managing director Stephan Reiter added: "Christoph Freund has been doing excellent work for us for many years and only recently extended his contract until 2026. "I can hereby confirm that he will remain sporting director of FC Red Bull Salzburg. "Of course, he informed me about Chelsea's interest in him and we exchanged ideas on a personal level and in good conversations. "The fact is that he will remain our sporting director. We have not received any inquiries about a possible change." Chelsea and Salzburg shared a 1-1 draw in their first Champions League Group E encounter last week and are set to play again in Austria on 25 October.

🤪🤪🤪🤪 Chelsea manager Graham Potter wants to make a move for Tottenham and England star Harry Kane, 29, and is ready to offer Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, 29, in exchange. (Calciomercato- in Italian)

Chelsea are set to appoint Christoph Freund as their new sporting director after agreeing terms with Red Bull Salzburg (Fabrizio Romano)

Fucking hell did it upset her that much.

Can someone tell me about Zakaria? All I think I know about him is that he was pretty good quality and a DMF, but has had a shocking injury.

All this from the haters, whingers, moaners, about Potter is beyond me. He's not even got his feet under the managers desk yet, and ppl are on his back already. Even to the point their are references to him getting the sack, what it will take etc. Fucking hell let the bloke get in the door, and give him a chance to succeed, or fail if it comes to it. Trying being a bit more supportive, whoever you are you are a fucking disgrace.

in Grahamcarlo Potterini we trust.

What does anybody think about Lewandowski missing on purpose because he didn't want the wrath of the Bayern fans.

Loved what Alan Smith called him a couple of weeks ago on commentary... A Brazilian Rolls Royce🤩

I know this the wrong place. But I can't find the right place. So Chelsea v Liverpool postponed.

Looks like we're decimating Brighton😳

To be fair tho bruv. It aint done us any harm🤐

LOL Back in my days of park footy we had rush keepers, so 4-4-3 was possible🤪

So much fucking negativity! What is with a lot of you, no hopers. Born under a bad sign if it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all.

World class manger? You mean the one that had us playing crap football, couldn't break teams down, at loggerheads with the players and the board as per PSG. He maybe was for the first 6 months then he fell off the cliff.

You mean to tell me you're Joe King

You really are an annoying cunt. What do you base all your sour comments on?

isn't this how he got sacked at PSG?

Alright now he's gone.. The king is dead..long live the king

Potter's first ECL game is at home to Salzberg, should be his first win in Europe🙄

Unfortunately when your at the top there's only one way to go.

And that was down to Tuchel, playing players out of position, fucking formations that didn't suit. Don't get me wrong I liked Tommy but he had totally lost it.

Can someone tell me why English managers are shit, apart from Potter? There's not been a decent one since Cloughie and Bob Paisley, so what's that 30 40 years. English mangers have been, and still are a joke, compared to the rest of Europe.

For me there is certainly unrest in the dressing room. And once the manager loses that there's no coming back. The disinterest in the players is shocking, no fight in them, no pace in them, I do think we have the makings of a pretty good squad. I believe in giving KK, Fofana, Auba a chance to settle in. But as for the manger, if we sack him now there's no one to bring in, I'd like to see Graham Potter but even if there is a chance it won't be until next season.