Chelsea bidders 'consider' appointing AS Monaco transfer expert

The Athletic report that two of three Chelsea bidders 'consider' hiring AS Monaco technical director Paul Mitchell to a similar role at the club.

Chelsea currently do not have a technical director, with directors Marina Granovskaia and Petr Cech responsible for recruitment and staff management.

The potential arrival of Mitchell would not mean Granovskaia leaving, with all bidders interested in keeping her at the club.

So here is what we know about Paul Mitchell...

Mitchell had a nine-year professional career. He never played above the League One level, featuring for Wigan and MK Dons, among other teams.

Injuries ended his career early and he retired in 2009, at the age of 27.

Mitchell took up a role as a Head of Recruitment at his former side MK Dons. He then moved to Southampton, working with Mauricio Pochettino.

When Poch joined Spurs in 2014, he took Mitchell with him. In north London, Mitchell signed the likes of Dele Alli, Son Heung-Min and Kieran Trippier.

Mitchell left Tottenham in 2018, joining RB Leipzig. Since 2020, he has been working at AS Monaco.

Operating on a tight budget, Mitchell is credited with 'transforming the age, profile and performance metrics of their squad'. More academy players have been given chance to play at the first team, the team has become fitter and the atmosphere at the club improved.

Monaco are currently sixth in the Ligue 1 table, three points away from the third place that guarantees Champions League football next season.

In March, the Principality side defeated PSG 3-0.