- Brighton confirmed the news on Tuesday morning following a Chelsea approach
- Paul Winstanley joined Chelsea a little over a year ago, also leaving the Seagulls
- Should Man United be forced to pay more than £60m for Dan Ashworth? They’re wrecking Newcastle’s business – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Chelsea have raided Brighton for the 11th time since their owners took charge in 2022 – with confirmation coming on Tuesday that they will hire the south coast club’s head of recruitment, Sam Jewell.
Brighton placed Jewell on gardening leave after the 34-year-old accepted the job offer.
He will follow Graham Potter, Billy Reid, Bruno Saltor, Bjorn Hamberg, Ben Roberts, Kyle Macaulay, Paul Winstanley, Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo in moving to Stamford Bridge.
Jewell – the son of former Wigan manager Paul – will take on a senior position in the recruitment team.
He is expected to oversee a global role looking after Chelsea and their affiliate clubs, starting in November after serving his notice with Brighton.
Sam Jewell will swap Brighton for Chelsea this year after a period of gardening leave
Jewell will follow his predecessor Paul Winstanley (pictured), who switched 16 months ago
Jewell is expected to work around the recruitment department of Chelsea’s multi-club model
The London side are also set to appoint Swansea’s head of football operations Josh Marsh as their loans manager.
Both Jewell and Marsh will report to Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, the co-sporting directors.
Chelsea, bought by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in the summer of 2022, have long admired Brighton’s ability to recruit cleverly by focusing on a data-driven scouting approach.
Such a strategy has saved the Seagulls a bundle of money while keeping them competitive in the Premier League.
Graham Potter is one of 11 members of staff that have swapped Brighton for Chelsea under the Blues’ new ownership
Marc Cucurella (left) and Moises Caicedo (right) are two of the players who have made the switch between clubs