ENRIQUE WILL WAIT UNTIL SUMMER FOR CHELSEA JOB
LUIS ENrIqUE does not want to become Chelsea manager before the end of the season should the club sack Antonio Conte.
The former Barcelona coach, 47, remains the first choice to take charge at Stamford Bridge, but he is on a year’s sabbatical and is reluctant to bring it to an end by throwing himself into the daunting task of taking over a squad low on morale and unhappy with Conte’s training methods.
Enrique (below) who won nine trophies in three seasons at Barcelona, is keen on bringing in his own staff from his time at the Nou Camp but they are under contract at Celta Vigo, with former No 2 Juan Carlos Unzue in charge.
The possibility that Juliano Belletti could become Chelsea director of football would give Enrique support because the pair know each other well.
The upheaval at Stamford Bridge has not put off Tammy Abraham hoping to resume his Chelsea career at the end of this season’s loan spell with Swansea.
And the 20- year- old is aiming to make a late run for England’s World Cup squad after returning to scoring form in Swansea’s FA Cup demolition of Notts County.
The striker revealed that the England manager Gareth Southgate had encouraged him after his two caps in November. Abraham, who has been studying Tottenham striker Harry Kane in a bid to improve, scored two and set up two against County to take his season’s tally to seven. And he believes the injuries that led to a four-month goal drought are now behind him. ‘It’s like a fresh start for me,’ said Abraham. ‘ I’m not lacking in confidence and when I get the chance I like to take it. ‘Not scoring has an effect because it plays on your mind, but all the best players have that. ‘England is at the back of my mind Now I am back I would love to (go to the World Cup). I know I have to give a performance whenever I get the chance. ‘ Harry is a player I have always looked up to and he is one of the greatest strikers. ‘ I’ve followed his progress and what he has been through, so it gives me confidence that there is light at the end of every tunnel. ‘It encourages me to keep pushing and try my best.’