Brentford confirm departure of set piece expert Bernardo Cueva with Chelsea ‘agreeing a £750,000 deal’ to add the coach to their backroom staff next season
- In March, an agreement was reached for Cueva to move to Chelsea next season
- Cueva is credited with overseeing Brentford’s set pieces in recent years
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Brentford have confirmed the departure of set piece expert Bernardo Cueva, who will make the switch to West London to join Chelsea.
An agreement was reportedly reached with Chelsea in March, with Cueva continuing to work for the Bees until the end of the season.
Chelsea have reportedly paid Brentford £750,000 to add Cueva to the club’s backroom staff. Fabrizio Romano.
Cueva had worked at Brentford as the club’s tactical statistician, including working on their set pieces.
“Bernardo has done a fantastic job for us over the last four seasons,” said director of football Phil Giles.
Brentford have confirmed the departure of Bernardo Cueva ahead of his move to Chelsea
Cueva is credited with coming up with set pieces during his time at Brentford
‘His first season ended with promotion to the Premier League, and he has played a key role in achieving four consecutive Premier League seasons.
“Part of Bernardo’s role has to do with our set strategies, and I think everyone at the club can be proud of this.
“He leaves with the blessing and best wishes of everyone at Brentford.”
Brentford have scored 10 of 54 goals from set pieces this season, with a further three scored from the penalty spot.
The Bees have only conceded eight goals this season, as well as two penalties.
Only Man City, Arsenal and Fulham conceded fewer goals from set pieces than Thomas Frank’s team.
Chelsea scored twelve goals and conceded eleven from free kicks and corners during the season, while the Blues scored eleven penalties and conceded three.
Arsenal in particular reaped the benefits of set pieces this season, which were supervised by coach Nicolas Jover.
Arsenal have had huge success with set pieces this season under coach Nico Jover
The Gunners have scored 20 goals from dead ball situations this season, excluding penalties
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino previously appeared to question the need for a permanent coach
The Gunners have taken the lead in goals from set pieces, excluding penalties. Twenty goals from dead ball situations throughout the season have boosted their title challenge.
Arsenal have conceded six goals from set-pieces, trailing only Premier League leaders Man City, who have been canceled out just twice this season.
Cueva joined Brentford from Mexican side Chivas in September 2020 after being recruited by football director Giles and technical director Lee Dykes.
He previously worked as a strategic analysis manager at Mexican side Chivas from 2017 to 2020, while the 36-year-old has also been with the Norwegian national team since October 2021.
Mail Sport reported in March that Chelsea were looking for a specialist coach to replace Anthony Barry, who left the role last April to join former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino appeared to question the value of specialist coaches during a press conference in February.
“We have specialists,” he said. ‘We are a technical staff that is responsible for everything.’