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Chelsea poach youth team coach from Man City to be their new academy technical director - as they plunder rival clubs to further boost academy programme

Chelsea’s academy has been boosted by the arrival of a number of leadership hires from Premier League rivals as the Blues look to build on Cobham’s reputation as a conveyor belt of talent.

The club confirmed on Friday that Glenn van der Kraan has joined from Manchester City as their new academy technical director.

He will lead the youth development programme alongside Jack Francis, who has worked his way up the ranks internally to become the academy’s football operations director.

While it was not mentioned in the club’s release, Mail Sport understands Delroy Ebanks and Ayo Durojaiye have also now joined from Newcastle and Arsenal respectively to take on recruitment and scouting roles.