Arsenal legend to join Chelsea project

Tom Weber

• Updated: 29 Jun 2023 20:17 BST
• 3 min read

Patrick Vieira is the latest big name to cross the London divide - well, kind of.

Arsenal and Chelsea have come into contact an awful lot in recent times. From transfer hijacks to done deals, the London rivals have been engaged in shenanigans since the winter. Chelsea hijacked the Gunners' Mykhailo Mudryk deal, Jorginho switched Stamford Bridge for the Emirates and the two also battled over Brighton star Moises Caicedo.

On Wednesday, Chelsea flop Kai Havertz was announced as the latest new Arsenal signing and now Gunners legend Patrick Vieira could be heading the other way, at least on paper. According to RMC, the Frenchman is set to take charge at Chelsea's new sister club RC Strasbourg in Ligue 1.

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The 47-year-old has been out of a job since getting sacked by Crystal Palace in March following a 12-game winless run. Before that, he had a stint at Nice and a very successful one at New York City FC in Major League Soccer.

Now, he is set to lead what could very well become Chelsea's 'new Vitesse.'

A farm club?

Strasbourg fans were opposed to the Todd Boehly-led takeover of their club and it could very well be that the Ligue 1 side will get turned into something of a farm club for Chelsea despite the president's assurances that they are an independent organisation.

Santos wonderkid Angelo Gabriel, who hasn't even been officially signed by Chelsea yet, is already being touted for a potential loan move to the Alsatian club, including by Fabrizio Romano, while David Datro Fofana has apparently also been considered by Strasbourg as a potential temporary arrival.

READ: Chelsea to send summer signing to 'new Vitesse'

Vieria will replace Frédéric Antonetti, who led the club to a disappointing 15th-placed finish last term. The former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder had also been linked with the vacant Leeds United job.