Bernardo Cueva set for Chelsea as Brentford confirm exit of highly rated coach

Brentford have confirmed tactical statistician Bernardo Cueva is set to leave the club, with Chelsea poaching the highly rated coach.

As revealed by Standard Sport in March, the Blues have lured Cueva across London has agreed to start a new set-piece department.

It is one of a number of big-name backroom appointments, which also include Brighton’s head of recruitment Sam Jewell, Swansea’s head of football operations Josh Marsh and former FA culture consultant Owen Eastwood.

Pochettino clarified what Cueva’s arrival means for a potential set-piece department at Chelsea: “We have an amazing department of analysis and set-piece coaches, two set-piece coaches.

“We already work with set-piece coaches. Of course, the club wants to create a global area of set-pieces to reinforce the already settled area in which two people work.

“Like the medical staff, performance, the club created also a goalkeeper area with Ben Roberts. The club is trying to reinforce all areas. That is one area they want to reinforce, move on from, and challenge the people who are here. And we are very supportive of that.

“If some people come here to add their knowledge, to help us, to be better, they are very welcome.”

Confirmed Cueva's imminent exit on Saturday, Brentford director of football Phil Giles said: "Bernardo has done a fantastic job for us over the last four seasons. His first season ended with promotion to the Premier League, and he has played a key role in us now achieving four successive Premier League seasons.

“Part of Bernardo’s role relates to our set-piece strategies, and this is an area I think everyone at the club can be proud about. He leaves with the blessing and best wishes of everyone at Brentford.”