Boehly revolution continues with sporting director 'close to agreeing personal terms' with Chelsea

RB Salzburg administrator Christoph Freund is set to agree personal terms with Chelsea, according to Fabrizio Romano.

There have been big changes at Chelsea in recent months.

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The Blues were taken over by a consortium led by Todd Boehly in May after Roman Abramovich put the club up for sale.

The American businessman invested over £250m in the first team during the summer transfer window.

Boehly was operating as chairman and acting sporting director during his first summer window in London.

This is due to the many high-profile exits from the boardroom as Boehly sought to shake things up.

Director of Football Marina Granovskaia has left after a terrific spell at Stamford Bridge.

Granovskaia received the award for the best club manager in European football in December 2021.

Former goalkeeper and club legend Petr Cech took on an advisory role after retiring in 2019 and also left following Boehly's arrival.

Bruce Buck - who was chairman of the Blues for more than 22 years - was another crucial figure in the club's history to leave.

The large number of departures means that new people will have to join the club.

After a turbulent summer, Boehly turned to appointing a new sporting director.

RB Salzburg administrator Christoph Freund has been linked with the role and this week he refused to withdraw from the race.

Chelsea drew with the Austrian side in the Champions League on Wednesday and the 45-year-old took on a highly visible role at Stamford Bridge on the night.

"You should never rule anything out in football and Chelsea are such a great club," Freund said.

"Chelsea are such a great club in transition. I can't say exactly what will happen in the next few weeks and months.

"But I'm a sports director at Salzburg and I really like it."

Freund added: "I've had conversations with Chelsea from time to time.

"We talked a lot more a month or two ago because they were interested in signing Sesko.

"The new owners are interested in how we do things with young players, how we integrate them into the first team.

"But you have (these conversations) over and over again with other clubs, that's all."

Chelsea have reportedly held talks with Paris Saint-Germain's Freund and Luis Campos, with co-owners Boehly and Behdad Eghbali open to adding two new directors to their recruitment team.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are close to completing the acquisition of Freund.

He wrote on Twitter: "Chelsea are now close to reaching an agreement on personal terms with Christoph Freund as their new manager.

"Continued discussions with Salzburg to sign him soon.

"Freund, the man behind the best deals like [Erling] Haaland, [Sadio] Mane, [Naby] Keita, [Dayot] Upamecano - ideas, data, talent. He will work with [Graham] Potter."< /p>

Romano later confirmed that Salzburg "had been informed" that Freund was close to reaching an agreement with Chelsea.