Chelsea’s potential new owners have a number of decisions to make regarding the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge. As it stands, three parties are currently in the running to complete a takeover of the west London club over the next few months.
One man who could potentially be set to follow the new owners to the club is former Tottenham Hotspur employee Paul Mitchell. The Athletic have reported that a couple of the parties interested in a takeover are eyeing a move for the recruitment expert.
He is currently employed by Ligue 1 side Monaco as their sporting director, having earned considerable praise for his shrewd dealings in the transfer market over the past few years. football.london has taken a look at Mitchell and what he could potentially be set to bring to Stamford Bridge, should he complete a switch to west London.
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Who is Paul Mitchell?
Mitchell is a former footballer turned recruitment expert, who retired from the game in 2009. The Englishman represented the likes of Wigan Athletic and Milton Keynes Dons, whilst he also embarked on a number of lower-league loans throughout his career.
He was never afforded a chance in the top-flight before injury forced him to retire at the age of 27 before being offered an ambassadorial role with MK Dons.
What does he do now?
It wasn’t long before the now 40-year-old turned his attention to recruitment having been handed an opportunity at Stadium:MK. He continued his eye-catching work with Southampton before a move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2014.
Mitchell was credited with the signings of Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld, Son Heung-Min and Kieran Trippier in his spell in north London. Despite being a hugely successful colleague of Mauricio Pochettino, he did not stay with Spurs and next showed up at German outfit RB Leipzig in February 2018.
His signings helped establish the German club in the upper echelons of the Bundesliga, whilst they also played a role in extended runs in the Champions League. Mitchell continued to catch the eye of Premier League clubs, though, with Manchester United reportedly interested in a move - links that have only intensified with the Red Devils’ decision to appoint Ralf Rangnick as interim boss.
The former Spurs man is now in France with AS Monaco - his official role being the club’s sporting director. He has two years left to run on his current deal at the Stade Louis II.
What has been said?
Mitchell has already expressed his affections for the Premier League amid the links with Chelsea but has suggested that he intends on finishing his job with Monaco first and foremost.
Speaking in an interview with The Independent in 2021, he said: “I have to say, I love the Premier League, I do. But I’m enjoying the challenges that working abroad have given me and I love that. I would never say never [about returning to England], but I have a large project here on my hands and I want to try to do the best job I can.”
