Chelsea set to appoint Southampton’s Joe Shields as new director of recruitment

CHELSEA are closing in on a deal to appoint Southampton’s Joe Shields as their new director of recruitment.

The Blues are reshaping their transfer strategy with Bruce Buck, Marina Granovskaia and Petr Cech all gone after new owner Todd Boehly took over from Roman Abramovich last summer.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the West Londoners are set to land Shields after his impressive work at Saints and Manchester City before them.

According to talkSPORT, Chelsea were particularly impressed with the signing of Romeo Lavia, who moved to St Mary’s from City last summer.

Lavia arrived with three other young talents Juan Larios, Sam Edozie and Gavin Bazunu.

Shields only joined Southampton in July after nine years at the Etihad working in City’s scouting and recruitment department.

The experienced scout has also previously worked at Crystal Palace and Fulham in similar roles.

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But his imminent departure hasn’t sat well with Southampton, who are not happy with the way the situation has been handled.

Therefore, Chelsea may have to wait half a year before Shields undertakes his new role with Saints unwilling to let him go before his six-month notice period expires.

This comes amid the two-time European champions’ efforts to sign ex-RB Leipzig chief Christopher Vivell as their new technical director after he was sacked by the Bundesliga club.

The Blues are also looking for a new sporting director and Norwich’s Stuart Webber is among their candidates.

Chelsea are back in action on Sunday as they take on Aston Villa in the Premier League.