Chelsea want Liverpool backroom legend Michael Edwards to replace Marina Granovskaia
According to ESPN, Chelsea are targeting a move for outgoing Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards. He joined the Reds in 2011 from Tottenham Hotspur.
And in that time, he has been a crucial figure behind some of Jurgen Klopp’s key signings. He was promoted to the role of sporting director within five years of his appointment at LFC.
Edwards played a key role in the Reds sealing moves for modern-day Liverpool greats such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Alisson Becker. But he has now been replaced in his role by Julian Ward.
“Build Edwards a statue” was a statement you’d often see from Liverpool fans on social media whenever the club made a shrewd signing or a sale. Even if that statement turned into reality, it won’t be the biggest shock in the world.
What to expect?
After all, signing these players was a crucial part of Jurgen Klopp’s success here at Liverpool. But even the outside possibility of such a statue being built would be negated if Edwards joins Chelsea and helps them reach the top once again.
The Blues have been cleaning house ever since Roman Abramovich gave up the club’s ownership to Todd Boehly. Marina Granovskaia, their own trusted negotiator, is set to depart the club along with Bruce Buck, who has stepped down as chairman.
And apparently, their new American owners want accomplished individuals like Edwards to take charge of things. When the club’s takeover was near completion in May, football finance expert Kieran Maguire said to Sky Sports (h/t Football.London):
“I think what we will see is a more data analytical, a more measured and more money-ball approach coming from the Boehly group. They’ve seen what FSG have achieved at Liverpool. Liverpool have spent half a billion pounds less over the course of the last nine years investing in the player market compared to Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City and yet we’re sitting this morning with Liverpool on the brink of a potential quadruple.”
Maguire suggested that Chelsea’s new American owners, like Liverpool’s American owners FSG group, could adopt a ‘Moneyball’ approach to signings where they target “less big fees, more investment in younger players”.
More Liverpool News
- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gives emotional interview after Sadio Mane seals move to Bayern Munich
- Mohamed Salah sends emotional farewell message to Sadio Mane after Liverpool star completes Bayern Munich transfer
- Transfer News: Liverpool could loan out seven players with Billy Koumetio set for a move to Austria Vienna
Edwards was a highly important figure at Liverpool when it came to making this ideology succeed during his six years as sporting director. Perhaps the Blues want to replicate that ideology at the Bridge with this potential appointment- who knows?
