Troy Deeney has expressed bewilderment over Chelsea's pursuit of Aston Villa set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, questioning why the Blues would target a role he considers replaceable.
Deeney's criticism of the transfer
Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Birmingham City striker admitted he was baffled by Chelsea's decision to headhunt MacPhee from Villa's backroom staff. Deeney argued that set-piece coaches are not as valuable as the current market suggests.
"I am actually baffled, to be honest with you," Deeney said. "I don't want to discredit anyone's progression because he spends his whole life worrying about set-pieces and throw-ins, but come on. They are replaceable, a set-piece coach. The game has gone nuts."
Villa's set-piece success
Under MacPhee's guidance, Aston Villa have become one of the Premier League's most dangerous teams from dead-ball situations. Over the last three Premier League seasons, only Arsenal with 64 goals have scored more from set-pieces than Villa. This record has made MacPhee a highly sought-after specialist.
Chelsea are understood to be activating a release clause in MacPhee's contract with Villa, which would be a significant blow to Unai Emery's side. The Blues have struggled with set-piece efficiency in recent campaigns, prompting the move to bolster their coaching staff.
Deeney questions the logic
Despite Villa's impressive statistics, Deeney remains unconvinced about the value of specialist set-piece coaches. He challenged Chelsea's reasoning, suggesting the club's personnel are ill-suited to replicate Villa's success.
"What do you see in a set-piece coach that makes you think, 'Let's go for that'? Chelsea don't have the players Arsenal or Villa have to score those set-pieces," Deeney added. He also expressed surprise that a release clause existed for a coaching staff member, calling the situation "crazy."
"Why is there a release clause? For staff? To me, it is crazy. The world is as such now, though. Coach drivers, they get us there on time! The world is going mad, but Villa are getting rinsed again, so I am happy," Deeney concluded with a nod to his Birmingham City allegiances.
Impact on Villa and Chelsea
MacPhee's potential departure would leave a void at Villa Park, where his influence has been pivotal in transforming their set-piece prowess. For Chelsea, hiring MacPhee signals a desire to improve in an area where they have lagged behind rivals. However, Deeney's comments highlight a growing debate about the specialization of coaching roles in modern football.
