Chelsea and Arsenal on red alert as Michael Olise's transfer preference comes to light.
According to The Athletic’s Chelsea reporter Simon Johnson (h/t Liverpool Echo), Blues assistant coach Anthony Barry has held positive talks with Everton, as the Toffees look to reunite him with incoming Everton manager Frank Lampard.
The duo led Chelsea to some famous victories while in charge of the Blues, even reaching the FA Cup final in Lampard’s debut season as head coach at Stamford Bridge. Lampard seems to want the Chelsea assistant coach at Everton with fond memories of their time working together.
Barry and Lampard are old colleagues from their time together as part of the Chelsea backroom staff, and the pair could be set for a new challenge together at Goodison Park once Lampard takes over. The highly-rated coach was first hired in 2020 by the Chelsea legend when he was still manager at Stamford Bridge.
The Athletic reporter’s sources have described Barry’s potential move as a win-win whether he stays in west London or goes. Chelsea certainly would like to keep him, as Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has credited Barry with being the brains behind his side’s set-pieces, from which nine goals have been scored this season.
Even after Lampard’s departure last season, the English coach has remained at Chelsea and is currently helping Tuchel coach the squad. Together, the pair worked with the rest of the backroom staff to lead the players to Champions League and Super Cup triumphs in the previous campaign.
Barry was reportedly seen in Merseyside yesterday, attending the Tranmere Rovers clash against Forest Green. However, Johnson’s sources have said that the game was not the highly-rated coach’s main purpose of his trip to Merseyside. A rumoured meeting with Everton chiefs is said to have taken place, which seems to have progressed Barry’s move to Goodison Park.
Although a potential loss for Chelsea, it seems to be a homecoming for Barry as he returns to his former club, where he was a youth player in his younger days. A move back to his city would certainly be tempting for the assistant coach, and with recent positive talks, it could be likely.
Lampard would be thrilled at the possibility of having a familiar face around him as he gets back to being a manager again since he was sacked by Chelsea last season. The former England international was credited with promoting many youth products into the Blues squad during his time there. With Barry at his side once again, we could see the same happen at Goodison Park.
Barry has a reputation for being a set-piece specialist, and at Everton, the coach gets to work with players like Yerry Mina and Michael Keane, who are astounding in the air. The Englishman’s tactics will certainly add a different edge to the Toffees’ attack.
Lampard is using his links with Chelsea to his advantage, ensuring he has the right support system beside him as he looks to take charge at Everton soon. Time will tell if the Blues legend, along with Barry, turns out to be more successful at Goodison Park than at their time in London.
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