Chelsea poach Brentford specialist Bernardo Cueva to build set-piece department

Chelsea have agreed to sign highly-rated Brentford coach Bernardo Cueva to build a new set-piece department at the club.

The 36-year-old Mexican will remain at Brentford for the rest of the season before joining Chelsea in the summer.

Chelsea sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley have hired Cueva in a move that is supported by head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Goalkeeper coach Toni Jimenez has taken the lead on set-pieces after Anthony Barry, Chelsea’s last proper specialist, left last April to join Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.

Cueva was previously an analyst at Chivas in Mexico, helping them win the equivalent of the Champions League in North America before joining Brentford in 2020 after they were promoted to the Premier League.

He is considered one of the best in the business and is often seen active on the touchline when Brentford win corners or free-kicks.

Most Premier League rivals have just one or two set-piece specialists, but Cueva will help build a set-piece department at Chelsea.

The move for Cueva is the latest in a long line of Chelsea backroom hires since the January transfer window shut.

Swansea’s head of football operations Josh Marsh joined as the new loan manager last month, and Brighton’s head of recruitment Sam Jewell will also join after a period of gardening leave lasting around six months.