ANTONIO CONTE is being considered by Chelsea chiefs for a shock Stamford Bridge reunion.
The Italian is the last boss to have won the Premier League with the Blues back in 2017.
He was sacked the following year, however, after a moody title defence that saw his team come fifth.
Conte, 53, is currently a free agent after being sacked by Tottenham during the international break.
The Independent claim that initial contact has been made between Conte and Chelsea via intermediaries.
And the two parties could even meet next week should initial talks go well – with Frank Lampard set to take the job on a caretaker basis, which would allow Conte time to rejuvenate until the end of the season.
READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS
Conte enjoyed initial success at Stamford Bridge by using his trademark 3-4-3 formation.
And should he land the gig once again, Conte would retain the three at the back system that the Blues have largely used since Thomas Tuchel’s appointment in January 2021.
Chelsea will have a decision to make between the sticks this summer, with one of Kepa Arrizabalaga or Edouard Mendy likely to leave.
Conte may favour the latter as a more reliable option.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
He could look to use Reece James in a right centre-back role, although his former stalwart Cesar Azpilicueta may even return to the fold.
The experience of former Serie A stars Kalidou Koulibaly and Thiago Silva is likely to appeal to Conte, despite Wesley Fofana’s obvious quality – while Benoit Badiashile appears perfectly suited to the left centre-back role.
Callum Hudson-Odoi could return to the fold at right wing-back, despite a slightly disappointing year on loan at Bayer Leverkusen.
It could be awkward for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, however, after he recently joked during an appearance on talkSPORT that Conte is the person he’d least like to get stuck in a lift with.
Ben Chilwell would likely be preferred to Marc Cucurella at left wing-back – while the talented Ian Maatsen could return from his mightily impressive loan spell at Burnley.
Conte’s former favourite N’Golo Kante would be a key man in midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez, should he pen a new deal as expected.
The Blues could then look to splash out big on Rafael Leao this summer after the Portuguese sensation’s brilliant season at AC Milan.
Where this would leave the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling remains to be seen.
Mason Mount could leave this summer, with Manchester United and Liverpool keen.
This could open up a spot as Conte’s right forward for Kai Havertz, who could play off forgotten man Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian has endured an underwhelming Inter Milan return this term, scoring just three goals in 16 Serie A appearances.
But he is a favourite of Conte’s, and his former Inter boss could be just the man to rejuvenate his career.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
