Legendary former London Chelsea defender Ashley Cole commented on the addition of set-piece specialist Austin McPhee to Xabi Alonso's coaching staff in Hong Kong.
Cole believes that the recruitment of McPhee and forward Morgan Rogers from Birmingham's Aston Villa is one of the best decisions made by the hierarchy at BlueCo and Clearlake Capital ahead of the new season.
The former footballer highlighted key concerns and prospects for the team's renewal:
The move for Morgan Rogers and Austin McPhee from Aston Villa is one of the best decisions made by BlueCo and Clearlake for Xabi Alonso.
Last season, Chelsea conceded 17 goals from set pieces and scored very few. I am confident that McPhee will help the team rectify this flaw. It’s great that he has gone to Hong Kong to start working with the squad right away.
I also believe that the transfer of Maxence Lacroix will greatly benefit the team. When you look at our defence — Levi Colwill, Lacroix, Yorrel Hato and Wesley Fofana — it’s clear that under Xabi Alonso we will concede far less from set pieces and score much more.
The presence of the specialist at the pre-season camp in Hong Kong will enable the team to develop their set-piece delivery and defence even before the official start of the league.
