Chelsea are set to face a nervy wait to find out whether Joe Shields will accept the Blues' offer to be their new head of recruitment. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Shields is yet to give Chelsea a definitive answer as to whether he'll take the role.
He is currently head of senior recruitment at Southampton - and has a decision to make as to whether he'll swap the south coast for west London. He only arrived at the Saints in July, with Jacobs reporting that he is currently deliberating about what is best for both him and his family.
However, it appears Chelsea's move for Shields has angered his current employers. The Saints expect Shields to move to the Blues, but he is yet to inform them of his decision, and Southampton are 'unhappy' with how the approach has been handled.
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Having only joined Southampton in the summer, Shields does have limited experience in senior recruitment. However, he has impressed in his short time in Hampshire, while he also received plaudits in his role at Manchester City.
At City, he oversaw the development of Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden, while at Saints he signed Romeo Lavia - and then Southampton had a £50m bid from Chelsea turned down after less than five league matches for the 18-year-old.
Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on Shields for the role he played in taking young players in the likes of Lavia and Gavin Bazunu from City to Southampton. "The guy [Shields] who was at Man City is now in Southampton and brings them there," said Guardiola. "An incredible experience at this early age to be ready to play almost week in, week out. To try to do that is incredible."
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