Chelsea appear to have narrowed down their search for candidates to replace Frank Lampard in the summer. The 44-year-old was appointed caretaker manager earlier this month while Todd Boehly continues the Blues' hunt for a new head coach.
Julian Nagelsmann, Luis Enrique and Marcelo Gallardo have all been name-checked in relation to the vacancy at Stamford Bridge. Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti have also been mentioned, but the latter has ruled himself out – not once but twice.
It's said that the Blues have recently held a round of talks with a number of contenders for the position, and an obvious frontrunner has finally emerged. According to The Guardian, Nagelsmann impressed during initial negotiations, with the 35-year-old the 'likeliest' appointment.
READ MORE: Richard Keys & Andy Gray slam Julian Nagelsmann in stunning Frank Lampard claim
football.london understand that Nagelsmann is admired by the club's ownership group and they feel he has the attributes to match their long-term ambitions. The Guardian add that no decision has been made and Chelsea are keen to hold further talks with potential hires soon.
However, it's said the west Londoners have doubts over Luis Enrique after the former Spain and Barcelona boss made several demands during talks two weeks ago. This has reportedly pushed him away from the club and towards Tottenham, with Daniel Levy also targeting the Spaniard.
While Nagelsmann may be closer than ever before to becoming Chelsea manager, Todd Boehly has been slammed for considering the former Bayern Munich boss. Speaking on BeinSports, Richard Keys said: "One of the candidates is Julian Nagelsmann. What has he got that the Chelsea legend that is Frank Lampard has not?
"A guy that knows the club inside out, a guy that Chelsea fans think the world of. What has Nagelsmann done? Okay, he's won the Bundesliga, but he'd be hard pushed not to as Bayern Munich coach, but nothing else. So what makes him preferable? Is it because he's German? Young? Rides a skateboard?"
Keys' co-host Andy Gray agreed – and the duo have since faced plenty of criticism from Chelsea supporters. Gray said: "What makes Nagelsmann better, I don't know. Modern-day owners of English Premier League clubs have a fixation with a foreign name, a foreign coach, that they would be better and be better equipped.
"[That they] bring a brand of football that we can't produce [with] British coaches, which is a nonsense. But there can be no other reason that Nagelsmann should be rated higher than Frank. Yes, he's won a Bundesliga title, but you're right, you'd be hard-pushed not to with Bayern Munich."
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