Christopher Vivell has been confirmed as the next part of Todd Boehly's recruitment jigsaw after Chelsea confirmed the appointment of the former Red Bull Leipzig technical director on Wednesday morning. The German native takes the same role with the Blues having been appointed after parting ways with the Bundesliga side in early October.
He joins a team that includes Paul Winstanley as director of global talent and transfers and the pending incoming figures of Joe Shields as co-director of recruitment and talent, as well as Laurence Stewart as a technical director to focus on football globally. The latter two figures and Vivell all have experience in multi-club models, a notion that is pivotal to how Boely and his fellow owners see Chelsea moving forwards.
Boehly has spoken highly of both City group and the Red Bull group and is now set to draw upon their experience, with the US owner and Behdad Eghbali noting that Vivell 'will provide important support to Graham and the ownership group and play a vital part in advancing our overall vision for the club'.
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The burden has started to be taken off Boehly and Eghbali, but with only part of that group ready to work with Graham Potter and Kyle Macaulay in time for the January transfer window, Boehly remains in place as interim-sporting director for the moment. The Blues have been linked to the likes of Paul Mitchel and Michael Edwards since Marina Granovskaia left but have yet to find the fit they require.
Chelsea's ownership duo endured a busy summer as they travelled across Europe to meet important figures in club football and to complete deals as they brought in Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly, among others. The pair were pictured together on Chelsea's trip to Abu Dhabi in conversation with Potter, with the World Cup break allowing for a number of opportunities for meetings in the Middle East.
It is perhaps likely that they will retain an important role in conversations even with a lessened burden, but the number of incoming figures only serves to reinforce the ambition to produce a collaborative approach. A new sporting director will still fit in that system, and likely bring together the roles that are currently in place.
However, the current combination relinquishes the rush to make that appointment and ensure the correct one, with Boehly and Eghbali seemingly happy to play their part for the moment. Perhaps significant when timing can prove pivotal to any appointment.
Boehly has drawn much criticsim for becoming sporting director following Granovskaia's departure ahead of the summer transfer window, but the Blues have nevertheless moved to establish a team in their own form and own time. That will continue, though Boehly's continued involvement and emphasis on planning ahead will ensure the owner's vision is imprinted on the new executive team.
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