Chelsea are set to recruit a set-piece coach next season despite Mauricio Pochettino dismissing the idea of a specialist… after just SIX goals from dead ball situations this season

Chelsea are set to hire a specialist set-piece coach for next season in a move that will raise questions about Mauricio Pochettino’s influence at Stamford Bridge.

Mail Sport has been told the head coach has not been involved in the recruitment process after publicly expressing doubts last month over whether Chelsea needed specialist coaches.

Chelsea’s set pieces in particular have been disappointing this season, with only relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sheffield United having scored fewer than their six Premier League goals.

Pochettino’s team have not scored a single indirect free-kick goal and their tally of five corner goals is eight less than that of Arsenal, whose free-kick coach, Nicolas Jover, has been widely credited for perfecting the routines that have contributed to more than 30 goals. percent of his goals this season.

Chelsea are one of the few Premier League clubs not currently employing a specialist set-piece coach, something they are keen to address this summer.

Mauricio Pochettino previously stated that he was not interested in hiring a specialized coach

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Co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have invested heavily in strengthening Chelsea’s football department since their acquisition two years ago, with a host of new appointments including sporting directors, recruitment specialists and coaching educators.

However, Pochettino brought with him his own tight-knit coaching staff when he was appointed last summer, and appeared to question the value of specialist coaches at a press conference last month.

“We have specialists,” Pochettino said. “We are a technical team that takes care of everything.”