FORMER Cherries club doctor Craig Roberts has landed a new role at Chelsea.

The South African has been hired as head of performance by the west London club, tasked with improving their poor recent injury record.

Roberts spent more than eight years at Cherries, leaving his role as medical director in October 2023, having joined in 2015.

He previously worked in South Africa in rugby union, with the Sharks and then Springboks national team, as well as having a spell working with the FA in England.

Cherries last summer made changes to their medical department, American Jay Mellette hired as director of performance.

Roberts’ arrival at Chelsea is the latest piece in the puzzle, with the department led by director of performance Bryce Kavanagh, who joined last year, who in turn are overseen by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, and Enzo Maresca’s fitness coach Marcos Alvarez.

Also working in the department are head of performance sciences Nick Chadd, lead performance therapist Meirion Jones, head of performance insights Richard Akenhead and Steve Lewis.

Chelsea suffered the second most injuries in the Premier League last season behind Manchester United, something often highlighted by head coach Mauricio Pochettino, before his departure.

Cherries finished their 2023-24 season against Chelsea, beaten 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea start their league season against champions Manchester City, while Roberts will return to Vitality Stadium with his new club on Saturday, September 14 (8pm).