Chelsea closing in on new manager? Blues hold talks with Leicester boss Enzo Maresca - but Thomas Frank and Kieran McKenna are still in the frame to replace Mauricio Pochettino

The Sun claims Maresca, who helped Leicester secure an immediate return to the Premier League after winning the Championship, is a leading Blues candidate - along with Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna and Brentford's Thomas Frank. The report adds there is no clear favourite but the former Manchester City coach was 'encouraged' by the early talks.

The report adds Maresca has a £10 million ($13m) release clause and if he does sign, he would join the west London outfit on a longer deal than ex-manager Pochettino's contract of two years with an option to extend. Chelsea are reportedly keen to appoint a new manager within the next week or so.

Before the Italian found success at Leicester following his summer move in 2023, he was in charge of Parma for just 14 games between May 2021 and November 2021. In June 2022, he returned to City as one of Pep Guardiola's assistant coaches.

Maresca, Leicester, Chelsea and the other candidates will wait and see what happens in regards to who will succeed Pochettino at Stamford Bridge. The Foxes boss may be extra keen to move on as they may get hit with a points deduction for allegedly breaking Profit and Sustainability Rules during their last three seasons in the English top-flight.