Chelsea undergoes sporting director exit and defensive scrutiny

Chelsea is undergoing a leadership reshuffle in its sporting department following the news that co-sporting director Laurence Stewart will depart the club by mutual consent. Stewart, who joined from Monaco in 2022, will not be replaced immediately; instead, his responsibilities will be redistributed among Paul Winstanley, Sam Jewell, and Joe Shields to support the club’s evolving structure.

On the pitch, manager Xabi Alonso is facing scrutiny regarding the team’s defensive performance. The club has failed to record a Premier League clean sheet in 21 matches, a streak that includes only five games under Alonso’s leadership. Alonso has acknowledged the issue, stating, “It’s very difficult not to concede any goals, but we can do better.”

In player news, midfielder Romeo Lavia has received praise for his recent performances with the Belgian national team during the international break. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s interest in Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott continues, though Bournemouth is reportedly unwilling to entertain a sale in the January transfer window.