Ralph Hasenhuttl claims head of recruitment Joe Shields' exit after just three months is 'NOT a big loss' - and insists his impact was 'not the biggest', as he gets set to leave Southampton for Todd Boehly's Chelsea revolution

Ralph Hasenhuttl's confirmation that Joe Shileds has left Southampton for Premier League rivals Chelsea came with a particularly barbed message.

Shields' switch to west London has been much speculated, with the former Crystal Palace, Fulham and Manchester City man credited with much of the Saints' stellar recruitment over the summer.

However Hasenhuttl has refuted any claims that Shields 'impact' was felt at St. Mary's, as the Austrian issues a seemingly bitter statement.

According to Ben Jacobs, the Southampton boss said: 'He came in August and he left in October.