Chelsea co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly has stepped back from his role as the club's interim sporting director, football.london understands.
The U.S. billionaire opted to take up the position during the summer transfer window following the departures of long-serving director Marina Granovskaia and technical and performance advisor Petr Cech – and Boehly oversaw the arrivals of eleven players in deals worth in excess of £270million.
However, the 49-year-old never intended to fulfil the role on a full-time basis with Chelsea intent on hiring a world-leading recruitment team. Christopher Vivell and Paul Winstanley have since arrived from RB Leipzig and Brighton respectively while Joe Shields and Laurence Stewart will join in February once they've seen out their notice periods at Southampton and Monaco.
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An indication Boehly had handed power over to the recruitment team ahead of the January window came with Vivell leading talks with Benfica over a deal for Enzo Fernandez. The German was also pictured alongside Winstanley when Chelsea confirmed the signing of Benoit Badiashile from Monaco.
The January window is set to be a busy one for Chelsea as attempts are made to improve Graham Potter's squad. football.london has reported a loan deal for Benfica forward Joao Felix is close to being completed while the Blues are also hoping to bring in a deputy for Reece James at right full-back. Central midfield also remains a position in need of strengthening before the end of the month.
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