Luis Enrique a frontrunner for Chelsea vacancy, club want new coach for Real Madrid tie – Paper Round

Chelsea keen on Luis Enrique

Former Spain and Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has emerged as a frontrunner for the vacant Chelsea role, The Sun reports. With Julian Nagelsmann on gardening leave after being sacked by Bayern Munich, Chelsea would require permission from the German club to speak with the man they dismissed last week, and with a potential Champions League semi-final showdown in the offing, that may not be forthcoming.

“And he enjoyed most of his success at Barca, where he led an expensively-assembled squad to unprecedented success, as he will be required to do at Chelsea.”

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Soon or the summer?

While The Times say Chelsea want a new head coach in before their match against Real Madrid next week, the Guardian claims Chelsea are prepared to wait until the summer given Nagelsmann tops their five-man wishlist – which also includes Luis Enrique, Mauricio Pochettino, Ruben Amorim and Oliver Glasner.

“The feeling is that Chelsea were too quick to act when they appointed Potter, who proved an unsuitable fit. Boehly and Eghbali led that process, with their sporting structure yet to take shape, and Pochettino was the only other candidate interviewed. More due diligence will be undertaken.”

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Potter snubs Leicester for a break

Graham Potter turned down the opportunity to manage Leicester as he would like a break after his Chelsea sacking, the Standard reports. With Potter and Brendan Rodgers losing their jobs on the same day, the former was quickly linked with a move to Leicester, but he would prefer to wait until the summer before considering his next move.

“The episode is a curious one given Potter and Rodgers share the same agent. Rafael Benitez is the favourite to be appointed at the King Power Stadium after reports in Spain highlighted his interest.”

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Chelsea want Hojlund

Chelsea are interested in £60m-rated Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund, the Mail reports. Chelsea are looking to bolster their forward options this summer after failing to address this position during their initial rebuild under the new owners.

“Atalanta want £60m for the 20-year-old, who has scored five goals in his two starts for Denmark and is shaping to be a huge star. United are well aware of him, as are title-chasing Arsenal.”