Blues in Luis link
CHELSEA could turn to a Barcelona dream team to succeed Antonio Conte.
Starsport can reveal the pairing of Luis Enrique and ex-Blues defender Juliano Belletti are in the frame to take over in the summer.
Former Barca boss Enrique (above) would replace Conte as coach with Belletti joining him at Stamford Bridge as his director of football.
Conte’s future at the Blues is increasingly in doubt. The Italian signed a new contract in the summer but, crucially, did not extend it beyond next year. He has been constantly
linked with a return to Italy, while Paris St-Germain are also keen.
Conte is known to be concerned about the lack of signings at the club this season, with the Londoners trailing leaders Manchester City by 15 points and facing Barca in the knockout stage of the Champions League.
The Italian insisted last week that the only reason he would leave Chelsea at the end of the season is if he is sacked.
High
Enrique, 47, who has been out of work since leaving Barca last summer, is a leading candidate to replace him.
Belletti, meanwhile, is currently an ambassador for Barcelona but is held in high regard at Stamford Bridge.
The Brazilian right-back, 41, had three successful seasons with the Blues from 2007 after joining from the La Liga giants.
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone and Massimiliano Allegri of Juventus, along with out-of-work former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel, are also candidates to replace Conte.
But billionaire owner Abramovich has long had a desire to see the Blues play fantasy football in the Barcelona mould.
Meanwhile, Chelsea keeper Willy Caballero admits they must cut out the diving if they want to stop having players sent off.
Both Pedro and Alvaro Morata (below) were shown red cards against Norwich after being booked for dives in Wednesday’s epic FA Cup third-round replay.
Caballero said: “We need time to adapt to the new technology. For players and supporters, it’s important to learn about it.
“We conceded a few yellow cards because of it, so it’s important for all the players to learn all of the rules and understand how the VAR works. “The work the referee does is so hard and they have my respect when they make a decision.” WEST HAM striker Andy Carroll, a January target for Conte, has suffered an ankle injury which could need surgery.