Chelsea enjoyed a fantastic year under Antonio Conte last season, with the Italian boss leading the Blues to the Premier League title in his first campaign in charge of the West London club.
Fans here at The Transfer Tavern sang the former Juventus manager’s name long into the night as John Terry lifted the title for his boyhood club for the final time before the expiration of his contract, and the boss remains a popular figure amongst fans at The Bridge. However, news emerging from Sky in Italy has suggested that Paris St Germain are interested in swooping for Conte at the end of the season.
Losing the Italian would be a huge blow for the Blues, who look to be the real deal under his stewardship. On course for another top-four finish this year and still in the running for a craved Champions League crown, Chelsea are in an excellent position to excel, but owner Roman Abramovich could be on the lookout for fresh blood by the end of the season. Should Conte leave, this trio must be on the Russian’s shortlist to replace him…
Carlo Ancelotti
Chelsea love bringing a former face back to the club, and Ancelotti could be the latest man to make a triumphant return to Stamford Bridge. The Italian enjoyed a successful spell at the club during his tenure from 2009-2011, and is currently out of work having left Bayern Munich last year.
The 58-year-old knows the club extremely well, and holds an excellent relationship with Abramovich, and could be open to returning to London in the near future. Not a long-term fix but certainly a man able to make a difference immediately, Ancelotti could provide the club with several trophy-laden years should he return, and should be considered for the role.
Laurent Blanc
The former France and PSG boss is available after taking a break from football following his departure from the French giants in 2016, and could be keen to try his hand in English football after enjoying a successful playing career on these shores with Manchester United.
Blanc is an extremely experienced and adept manager who could bring a whole new way of thinking to Stamford Bridge, and will certainly be under consideration should the manager’s job become available in the next six months. Blanc performed well with the French national side and PSG, and was unlucky not to be rewarded with a new deal after delivering numerous titles to the capital club, and could certainly find his feet in the English game, and backed by Abramovich’s millions.
Didier Deschamps
The 49-year-old enjoyed a successful playing year with Chelsea in the late 90’s, and could be open to a return as manager in the near future. Currently preparing his French national side for a crack at World Cup glory, Deschamps could return to Chelsea a national hero, with this French side in with a seriously strong shout of achieving glory on the global stage.
Deschamps earned his current job through a strong showing as Marseille manager, where he helped the side from the south of France to a series of excellent Ligue 1 finishes. Deschamps could bring with him a plethora of top French players to Chelsea should he be appointed manager at Stamford Bridge, and must be near the top of Abramovich’s wishlist should Conte head to Paris this summer.
Chelsea fans, would any of this trio appeal should Conte leave? Let us know!
