Conceding seven goals and netting only a solitary one in their previous two fixtures, Antonio Conte is certainly facing the heat in the chilly winters of London.
The PL defending champs are having a poor run of form and speculations about Conte being unhappy about the lack of signings has done nothing good to the Blues. It was reported that Conte is missing Italy and wants to go back to his role of coaching the National Team itself.
Ex-Barcelona manager Luis Enrique is favourite to replace Conte at Chelsea’s helm, and sources confirm Chelsea have already opened negotiations with the Spaniard should the Italian be sacked at the season end. However, some reports claim that even that is too far and that Chelsea will offer only two games to Conte to turn things around.
The former Juventus boss only signed a new deal at Chelsea in the summer and, according to the report, the Blues will need to pay him around €30mn (£26.7mn) in compensation if they decide to part ways with him before the end of the current season.
While some believe that the deal to rope in Luis Enrique would surely see the light of day, the more interesting news is about Enrique convincing Barcelona’s talisman Luis Suarez to sign for the Blues.
Reports in Spain have claimed Enrique has already verbally agreed personal terms with the Premier League champions, but sources close to the 47-year-old have refused to comment on his links with Chelsea.
Chelsea have made Luis Suarez their top priority should they sack Antonio Conte and get in Luis Enrique this summer. With Alvaro Morata injured, Chelsea lack the attacking instinct up front with an inadequate new signing Olivier Giroud and Dortmund loanee Michy Batshuayi. Adding the bolstering strength of Suarez will be a huge boost for the London club.
But Barcelona will not want to lose their star striker so easily. As of now, Barcelona believe that they will sign Griezmann in the summer, and will only then consider selling Suarez. But if the Frenchman does not arrive, then Barcelona will look at Eden Hazard as a replacement, and could use Suarez as a bait to leverage the deal.
