Chelsea are apparently a step closer towards finally appointing a permanent successor to Graham Potter. Frank Lampard was recently appointed caretaker manager until the end of the season, while Todd Boehly continues his search for a new head coach.
Julian Nagelsmann, Luis Enrique and Zinedine Zidane have all been heavily linked with filling the vacancy at Stamford Bridge. Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti have also been name-checked in relation to the position, though the latter has ruled himself out.
With the west London outfit desperate to have a manager ready to take the reins at the end of the season, a frontrunner has finally emerged. And, it appears that Enzo Fernandez could be lined up to aid Chelsea's final decision.
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According to Brazilian outlet UOL, Marcelo Gallardo is 'close' to putting pen to paper on a deal which will see him take the helm at Cobham in the summer. The report states that the former River Plate boss has been rejecting offers from various clubs in South America recently as he eyes a move to the Premier League.
Gallardo was in charge at the Argentine outfit for eight seasons, winning plenty of silverware including two Copa Libertadores – the South American equivalent of the Champions League. The 47-year-old, who left River Plate in October last year, worked closely with Fernandez at the Estadio Monumental, helping the Chelsea star take his first steps in senior football.
The youngster featured 53 times for Gallardo at River Plate, directly contributing towards 22 goals from midfield. With the help of the Argentine, Fernandez secured a move to Benfica before joining the Blues a few months later.
So, it comes as no surprise that UOL have reported that the 22-year-old has already given Chelsea the green light to appoint Gallardo. Speaking about Fernandez, the former PSG and Monaco star previously said: "He [Fernandez] has evolved a lot, I am very happy that he continues to maintain himself and it is not easy at 21 years old, he has a world ahead of him.
"When praise arrives, it is not easy to remain balanced, he has enormous potential to continue growing with the team [River]. He has been giving us many solutions and the most remarkable thing is that he knows that if he plays for the team he will continue to stand out."
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