The reports doing the rounds yesterday were that Chelsea were set to appoint Southampton head of youth recruitment Joe Shields.
But Ben Jacobs – who is very well connected to the new owners let’s not forget – is reporting that he has yet to make up his mind about whether to accept the offer.
For their part, Southampton are said to be “dismayed” and “unhappy” with how the approach from Chelsea for their man was made. But in the end, their power is limited if Chelsea are willing to pay off his contract.
They would certainly insist on a long period of gardening leave, to prevent Shields taking all his best work directly across to West London.
From what I am told, & despite Southampton’s dismay, Joe Shields is yet to give Chelsea a final answer. The offer is there, but he’s deliberating about what is best for him & his family personally and professionally, especially with limited senior recruitment experience.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) October 13, 2022
Shields is young, and has more experience dealing with youth recruitment than with senior players, which is what his focus would be at Chelsea. He is still in the process of deciding whether he wants to take the plunge to a Champions League team now or whether he’d rather continue developing his own skills in a more focused environment.
