Chelsea have won the race for Brighton’s in-demand head of recruitment Sam Jewell as HITC understands he shunned interest from a number of their Premier League rivals.
Jewell had emerged as one of the most highly respected talent spotters and transfer minds in the country, and his expertise had brought him into the thoughts of a number of clubs – not just Chelsea.
HITC sources confirm that both Manchester United and Liverpool had looked at Jewell for positions this summer.
United, who are close to appointing Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director, look at Jewell for a recruitment role, whilst Liverpool have assessed his capabilities of filling their sporting director vacancy.
Senior role
However, Jewell – who turned down the chance to join Rangers as Sporting Director last year, has now accepted the offer from Chelsea which will see him take him a senior recruitment role with a focus on international arrivals.
Spanish-speaking Jewell is known to have played a major role in some of Brighton’s top pieces of business in recent years in the South American market – helping in the deals to land Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo, Facundo Buonanotte and Julio Enciso.
Now Chelsea will look to put Jewell to work help establish them as one of the most powerful teams in the world when it comes to recruitment.
Jewell will begin work in November having served a period of gardening leave, which Brighton confirmed was happening.
A Brighton club statement read: “Sam Jewell has accepted a new position at Chelsea FC.
“Sam has now commenced a period of gardening leave. We thank him for his long service to our club.
“With immediate effect, Mike Cave, assistant technical director, supported by George Holmes, scouting and intelligence manager, will assume Sam’s responsibilities.”
Brighton lose ‘big talent’
One man who won’t be happy is Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, who has described Jewell as a ‘big talent’ and a close friend.
“He’s a top guy, my friend, he worked very well in the last transfer market,” De Zerbi told The Athletic.
“He’s very young, but he has a big talent, big passion. He knows all players in the world… like me!”