Chelsea have agreed to allow recruitment analyst Kyle Macaulay to reunite with Graham Potter at West Ham United, marking the next chapter in both Macaulay’s and Potter’s careers following their departure from Brighton & Hove Albion. After spending over two years at Stamford Bridge, Macaulay will now join Potter in East London, where the former Chelsea and Brighton manager was appointed earlier this month to replace Julen Lopetegui.
Macaulay’s move to Chelsea was initially celebrated due to his impressive track record at Swansea and Brighton, where he played a key role in player recruitment. His arrival at Chelsea coincided with that of Paul Winstanley, now the club’s co-sporting director, who also made the switch from Brighton. In the first 18 months under the ownership of the Clearlake Capital-Todd Boehly consortium, Chelsea executed a high-profile raid on Brighton, acquiring notable players such as Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, and Moises Caicedo. During this period, Macaulay was instrumental in bringing top-tier talent to Stamford Bridge.
However, as Chelsea navigated a tumultuous period of managerial changes and internal restructuring, many members of the backroom team from Brighton have now moved on, including Bruno Saltor, who briefly took over as interim head coach. Despite the departures, Winstanley remains a central figure within Chelsea’s sporting hierarchy, alongside Roberts, Enzo Maresca, and co-sporting director Laurence Stewart.
Chelsea have reportedly agreed to a compensation package with West Ham United, ensuring a smooth transition for Macaulay. It is understood that Macaulay actively sought the move to join Potter at the London Stadium, eager to continue working closely with the manager he had previously collaborated with at Brighton. The final paperwork for the transfer is expected to be completed soon.
Macaulay’s departure leaves Chelsea with plenty of work ahead in the January transfer window, as they look to strengthen their squad for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, West Ham United, under Potter’s guidance, will be looking to make strategic additions to improve their squad and build a competitive team for the future. As both clubs continue to evolve, Macaulay’s move marks another key shift in the Premier League’s managerial and recruitment landscape.