Chelsea poach set-piece guru MacPhee from Aston Villa | OneFootball

Chelsea have secured the services of set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, who will link up with Xabi Alonso and his staff in Asia.

MacPhee has arrived from Aston Villa and will join the club’s pre-season tour in Hong Kong, having followed Morgan Rogers from Villa Park to West London.

Across all competitions, Aston Villa scored more set-piece goals than any other side in Europe’s top five leagues last season and Chelsea have made their move to poach the Scot from Unai Emery’s backroom staff.

Chelsea ranked 10th for non-penalty set-piece goals scored in the Premier League last season, while only Liverpool, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace conceded more from dead-ball situations. The Blues hope MacPhee’s arrival can aid their ability in both boxes as Chelsea look for a successful first season under Alonso.

The move follows a trend in which set-pieces have become paramount in Premier League success. Champions Arsenal scored 19 goals from corners last season, breaking the previous Premier League record of 16 (which they jointly held with West Brom and Oldham).

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