Discussions over Manchester United target Benjamin Sesko were seemingly the catalyst for Chelsea to make their move and appoint Christoph Freund as their new sporting director. Freund, 45, is edging closer to being appointed at Stamford Bridge after carving out his reputation with RB Salzburg.
During his time with the Austrian outfit - where he has worked since 2006 and stepped into his current role almost a decade later - Freund unearthed Erling Haaland, Naby Keita, Dayot Upamecano and former Liverpool player Sadio Mane. The list of his gems is by no means exhaustive by those four current superstars.
Picking out such talents and offering them a stepping-stone to top European teams has been the remit for Freund, but his own move is next on the cards after Chelsea ramped up discussions for his services. His appointment is part of a revamped structure in West London.
