Zahavi developed his close connections with football in his native Israel into an unprecedented network of associations and friendships across the footballing world that brought him extraordinary success. His involvement in the change of ownership of Chelsea and Portsmouth gave him a reputation as an agent who could trade not only players but football clubs themselves.[2] His success has led to him being described as "football's first and only super agent"[1] and as "football's great svengali".[3] Zahavi himself played down the complexities of the role, saying: "I just bring people together and I get paid my commission if a deal is struck".[4