CHELSEA are facing a battle to convince former Liverpool transfer guru Michael Edwards to join them, according to reports.
Edwards left Anfield at the end of last season after playing a huge role in building Jurgen Klopp's Premier League and Champions League-winning squad.
The well-respected negotiator departed with the intention of taking a year off after an intense period at Liverpool, but new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly wants to quickly tempt him back into the game.
According to the Mail, the Blues have opened talks with Edwards with the intention of appointing him sporting director.
Chelsea want him to start in his new role next month, but he may decide that he wants more time away from football.
It is also unknown how much power Boehly is willing to grant his new sporting director.
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Given what he achieved at Anfield it is expected that Edwards would want full control at Chelsea.
But this could potentially put Thomas Tuchel's nose out of joint – with the German having played a more hands on role in transfers this summer.
Since the departure of Marina Granovskaia, Boehly has run the Blues' transfer operations himself, seeking more guidance from Tuchel than his predecessor did.
The West Londoners' have so far recruited Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly, and are attempting to hijack Manchester City's swoop for Marc Cucurella.
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They have been left frustrated as well, however, missing out on key targets Raphinha and Jules Kounde – in addition to so far failing to conclude deals for Presnel Kimpembe and Nathan Ake.
Should Boehly fail to entice Edwards to Stamford Bridge, he could turn his attention towards former Tottenham sporting director Paul Mitchell or Atletico Madrid's Andrea Berta.
Tuchel himself has admitted that his side are not ready for this weekend's Prem kick-off, saying: "It was a pretty long pre-season.
“Tiring and exhausting to be in the US for so long, and having to travel again today under the circumstances is not so easy, pretty demanding.
“After this weekend we prepare for nothing else other than Everton. The season is right in front of the door. There is a lot of positive stuff but we need to improve.
"We are not ready yet. We don’t have to be ready yet. We have another week and then it is time to be on the best level. It is always nice when the season arrives.
"We will have this week. There is still some way to go."
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