Former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards did reject an approach to join Chelsea this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Italian journalist claims that Edwards was reluctant to make the switch to Stamford Bridge as he wanted to have a well-earned break from football:

“It’s certain that Todd Boehly will appoint a new sporting director in the coming months – Chelsea will need a board that will take care of the transfers. Michael Edwards was approached after his departure from Liverpool, but he took his time because he wanted a break.”

Edwards has spent the best part of two decades working in various roles at football clubs. He was taken on as chief analyst at Portsmouth all the way back in 2003 before doing similar jobs at Tottenham and Liverpool.

He was elevated to Head of Methodology by the Reds in 2013 before briefly being made technical director. Following Jurgen Klopp’s arrival at Anfield in October 2015, his position was changed to become sporting director.

Over the past seven years, Edwards has transformed Liverpool’s squad into one of the best in Europe. It’s not a surprise that Chelsea were looking to recruit him but it looks as though he won’t return to football for a while.