A major sticking point for many Chelsea supporters these days is the apparent lack of experience among the club’s sporting directors. These folks are handed the formidable task of shaping one of the most prestigious football clubs globally, yet they don’t have top-tier football director experience, nor have they honed their skills in squad crafting or negotiation in the high-stakes transfer market.
Despite their newfound authority and a staggering £1.4 billion budget to reshape the team, there are undeniable concerns. Talent identification seems to be their strength, as they’ve occasionally shown a knack for spotting promising players. Of course, no sporting director has a flawless track record when it comes to signings, but amidst some underwhelming acquisitions, there are indeed emerging standouts.
Consider Paul Winstanley, whose previous pinnacle was heading scouting at Brighton. His résumé includes stints at Derby as an analyst and Wigan as a performance manager. Fast forward, and he’s vaulted to the role of Sporting Director at Chelsea, at the helm of a massive budget and tasked with overhauling the entire squad. It’s quite a leap.
Laurence Stewart does bring a modicum more experience to the table. Before his brief stint as Sporting Director at Monaco, followed by two years as Technical Director, Stewart’s career predominantly involved analytical and scouting roles. And let’s be honest, the playing field at Monaco is considerably different from that at Chelsea.
This situation is mind-boggling. Chelsea, a club of such stature, ought to be led by the absolute creme de la creme across every department. They need seasoned professionals with a proven track record across the board.
Their current strategy seems to lack coherence – assembling a team without a clear plan in mind. It’s like having all the puzzle pieces but no picture to guide you. They appear to be overlooking essential squad-building principles.
Look at Arsenal, for instance. They’re pursuing a seasoned sporting director with solid credentials, a history of success, and longevity at Atletico Madrid. This only underscores Chelsea’s missteps in appointing their current team.
Andrea Berta, during his twelve-year tenure at Atletico, may not have hit a home run with every signing, but he’s certainly crafted a squad that aligns with the club’s ethos and management needs.
Berta, now a leading candidate for the Arsenal role, left Atletico in January, having been the club’s Sporting Director since 2017. In the last eight years with Atletico, he orchestrated 52 signings with a budget of £684 million, and his influence stretched beyond that.
Among the standout acquisitions were Jan Oblak and Antoine Griezmann, arguably Atletico’s finest of the past ten years. Oblak, consistently heralded as one of the top goalkeepers worldwide, joined Atletico for a modest £13 million from Benfica in 2014, proving to be an excellent investment.
Griezmann’s tale is one of financial savvy too – signed, then sold at a high to Barcelona, before Berta re-signed him for less two years down the track. In total, Griezmann boasts 197 goals and 91 assists with the club.
Then there’s Rodri, bought for £24 million, whose talents later flourished at Manchester City, and Luis Suarez, brilliantly acquired for just £5.5 million from Barcelona, adding his wealth of experience upfront.
And future Chelsea target Matheus Cunha was another Berta find, even if parting with him might be seen as a blunder.
His record includes snapping up players like David Villa, Julian Alvarez, Kieran Trippier, Yannick Carrasco, Marcos Llorente, Diogo Jota, Cesar Azpilicueta, and others who became smart additions.
Under Berta, Atletico captured La Liga in 2021, and triumphed in the Europa League and Super Cup in 2018. His knack for building competitive teams at a top-tier club is exactly the kind of asset Chelsea seems to be missing.
Rumors had Chelsea fans buzzing about Luis Campos, another figure with a distinguished reputation. Key leadership roles demand the best of the best in football, equipped with a depth of experience. This isn’t something Chelsea has mastered yet, but to truly succeed, they must prioritize experience in these pivotal roles.
