Chelsea FC HubChelsea Set to Seal Transfer Deal for Set-Piece Specialist Austin MacPhee
Chelsea FC is reportedly set to acquire set-piece specialist Austin MacPhee, who will join Xabi Alonso's managerial staff ahead of the 2026-27 season. MacPhee will leave Aston Villa after spending five seasons at the club.
What Happened?
According to The Athletic, Chelsea triggered MacPhee's release clause included in his Aston Villa contract to acquire his services. Other Premier League clubs were also interested in poaching the 46-year-old expert.
Why it Matters for Chelsea FC
The acquisition of a set-piece coach speaks to the direction soccer is headed. There is an emphasis on dead-ball situations that is growing across soccer's major leagues, with even the prioritization of set pieces over fluid open-play attack systems as the way to find the back of the net.
What Comes Next?
MacPhee will take over from Bernardo Cueva as Chelsea's set-piece coach. Cueva will still be part of Alonso's new staff, but he'll move to a behind-the-scenes role. The acquisition of a set-piece coach stealing headlines speaks to the direction soccer is headed.
Chelsea, Aston Villa Continue Doing Business Together
MacPhee joining the Blues would represent the third separate piece of business between Chelsea and Aston Villa during the summer transfer window, with more potentially coming in the near future. Earlier this month, Chelsea made attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers the most expensive British player in history with a club-record signing worth $157.3 million (£117 million) to sign the England international from Villa. Less than a week later, Villa acquired winger Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea. After a disappointing debut season with the Blues, Villa landed the Argentine on loan with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met. MacPhee would become the third name to switch allegiances between the pair of clubs, and there might be more deals coming down the pipeline, with Villa reportedly interested in center forward Nicolas Jackson.
Chelsea's League Standing
As the new season approaches, Chelsea FC finds itself 10th in the Premier League, with 52 points from 38 games, and a recent form of LWDLL. The team has scored 58 goals and conceded 52, resulting in a +6 goal difference. They are 33 points behind leaders Arsenal.
Content
The acquisition of MacPhee is a significant move for Chelsea FC, as it highlights the importance of set-piece specialists in modern soccer. MacPhee's undeniably successful track record even led Portugal to hire him last February. The set-piece specialist was part of Roberto Martínez's staff during the 2026 World Cup, where it constantly displayed unique plays from set pieces, including Cristiano Ronaldo being used as a decoy in a free kick that Nuno Mendes buried against Uzbekistan. There's no question that in a sport and a league where scoring through set pieces has become of paramount importance, Chelsea are adding one of the most coveted masterminds in the world to strengthen that specific department.
Chelsea, Aston Villa Continue Doing Business Together
MacPhee joining the Blues would represent the third separate piece of business between Chelsea and Aston Villa during the summer transfer window, with more potentially coming in the near future. Earlier this month, Chelsea made attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers the most expensive British player in history with a club-record signing worth $157.3 million (£117 million) to sign the England international from Villa. Less than a week later, Villa acquired winger Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea. After a disappointing debut season with the Blues, Villa landed the Argentine on loan with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met. MacPhee would become the third name to switch allegiances between the pair of clubs, and there might be more deals coming down the pipeline, with Villa reportedly interested in center forward Nicolas Jackson.
What Comes Next?
The acquisition of MacPhee is a significant move for Chelsea FC, as it highlights the importance of set-piece specialists in modern soccer. MacPhee's undeniably successful track record even led Portugal to hire him last February. The set-piece specialist was part of Roberto Martínez's staff during the 2026 World Cup, where it constantly displayed unique plays from set pieces, including Cristiano Ronaldo being used as a decoy in a free kick that Nuno Mendes buried against Uzbekistan. There's no question that in a sport and a league where scoring through set pieces has become of paramount importance, Chelsea are adding one of the most coveted masterminds in the world to strengthen that specific department.
