Chelsea have moved Bernardo Cueva into a technical and advisory position as Xabi Alonso reshapes his backroom operation at Stamford Bridge.
Cueva had overseen the club’s set-piece work since arriving from Brentford in 2024. Chelsea reportedly paid approximately £1m in compensation to secure the highly rated Mexican specialist.
However, Daily Mail Sport reports that the 38-year-old will now work away from the pitch in a broader position under BlueCo.
His responsibilities will include set-piece analysis, opposition preparation and performance insights. Chelsea sources have stressed that the move is not a demotion and that Cueva remains an important part of the football operation.
Cueva has not been seen during first-team training since Alonso began pre-season work at Cobham on Thursday, 9 July.
Parrilla set to influence Chelsea set pieces
The change coincides with the arrival of Sebastian Parrilla, one of Alonso’s long-term assistants.
Parrilla worked with Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid. He developed a strong reputation for improving attacking and defensive set pieces during their successful period in Germany.
Cueva had previously been expected to remain part of Alonso’s on-pitch staff alongside Parrilla, Calum McFarlane and goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts, as BBC Sport reported following the manager’s appointment.
Instead, Chelsea have created a role which allows Cueva to concentrate on analysis across the wider BlueCo structure while Parrilla takes greater responsibility during first-team sessions.
The adjustment fits the collaborative model outlined in ReadChelsea’s assessment of Alonso’s plans for staff and sporting decisions.
Cueva’s specialist knowledge has not been discarded. Chelsea appear to be separating detailed preparation from delivery on the training pitch.
The success of the move will be judged by whether that division produces clearer routines and better results in both penalty areas during Alonso’s first season.
