Champions’ influence has guided Blues’ approach since takeover as City’s recent splurge suggests wider rebuild

Chelsea have embarked on a journey of renewal since being bought by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in May 2022. The sense was of a club in need of refreshment after the end of the Roman Abramovich era and there has been plenty of change across a host of departments, aided by the borrowing of ideas from elsewhere in the game.

Recruiting best in class is the idea, according to sources at Stamford Bridge. It has meant bringing in data and recruitment gurus from Brighton and commercial figures from Manchester United, Tottenham and Milan. As for the playing and coaching side, it has been intriguing to see a heavy intake of figures associated with City Football Group.

• Technical director has been at club since summer of 2023
• Hammers keen on loan deal for Ajax forward Brobbey

West Ham are finalising the departure of their technical director, Tim Steidten, after freezing him out of their transfer plans.

Steidten arrived at the club in the summer of 2023 and was soon playing a key role in the transfer market. But the 45-year-old German has been under growing pressure because of a series of questionable signings.

A bit more time enjoying Hoffenheim’s hospitality and all of Tottenham’s problems probably would have faded away. After all Christian Ilzer’s clumsy side certainly seemed intent on doing everything in their power to ease Spurs back to good health here, defending so meekly that it would be wise not to conclude that Ange Postecoglou is out of the woods yet.

What to make of a topsy-turvy 3-2 victory over the team sitting fourth from bottom in the Bundesliga? The positive for an injury-hit Spurs is that they were stylish at first, cruising into a 2-0 lead with goals from the outstanding duo of James Maddison and Son Heung-min. They also saw off a fightback from Hoffenheim after half-time, Son securing the points, and were resilient enough to boost their chances of avoiding the hassle of a two-legged playoff for a place in the Europa League knockouts by surviving a nervy finale with five teenagers on at the end.

• West Ham chasing Sunderland’s Dan Neil
• Ipswich sign Brighton’s Julio Enciso on loan

Napoli are pushing to reach an agreement with Manchester United over Alejandro Garnacho but their hopes of signing the winger could be derailed by Chelsea.

Garnacho’s agents attended Chelsea’s win over Wolves this week and the Argentinian’s future remains up in the air. Napoli have identified the 20-year-old as a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has joined Paris Saint-Germain, but are yet to agree a fee. The Italian club have looked at Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi as an alternative.