Chelsea agree deal with Brentford to make Bernardo Cueva their set-piece coach next season, despite Mauricio Pochettino dismissing the idea of a specialist
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Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal with Brentford to make Bernardo Cueva their permanent coach from next season.
According to The AthleticsThe 36-year-old will continue with the Bees until the end of the current season before making the move to West London.
Mail Sport reported earlier this month that the Blues were looking for a specialist coach to replace Anthony Barry, who left the role in April to join former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.
Cueva joined Brentford from Mexican side Chivas in September 2020 after being recruited by football director Phil Giles and technical director Lee Dykes.
He started working as a tactical statistician and has played a crucial role in Brentford’s progress from the Championship to an established Premier League side.
Chelsea have reached an agreement with Brentford to appoint Bernardo Cueva as permanent coach from next season
During his time at the club, the Bees have become known for their prowess in the game.
Last season, 16 of Brentford’s 58 goals in Premier League matches came from set-pieces – the second best figure in the competition after Liverpool’s total of 17 – half of which came from corners – a number only beaten by six teams was outmatched.
Conversely, Chelsea’s attacking set pieces have been particularly disappointing this season, with only relegated Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sheffield United scoring fewer than their six goals in the Premier League.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have not scored a single goal from an indirect free-kick and their total of five goals from corners is eight fewer than that of Arsenal, whose free-kick coach Nicolas Jover is widely credited with tightening the routines that have helped achieve this. 30 percent of their goals this season.
Mauricio Pochettino appeared to question the value of specialist coaches last month
After Barry’s departure last year, Chelsea were one of the few Premier League clubs without a specialist coach.
But Pochettino appeared to question the value of specialist coaches at a press conference last month.
“We have specialists,” he said. ‘We are a technical staff that is responsible for everything.’