Conte fits bill for Chelsea

ITALY coach Antonio Conte has emerged as the leading candidate for the Chelsea job as the club close in on a long-term replacement for Jose Mourinho. Conte is understood to have met Chelsea officials before Christmas and is ready to leave his role as Italy manager when his contract expires after euro 2016. Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino and Juventus’s Massimiliano Allegri are among other names being linked with the Stamford Bridge hot-seat, as Chelsea begin to accept that Pep Guardiola is heading for Manchester City. Conte is believed to have already told the Italian FA that he wants to return to club management after this summer’s international tournament in France. He is ready for a new challenge outside Italy, having won three Serie A titles with Juventus as a manager and five as a player. Sources also claim the Italian is taking english lessons in preparation. Conte was on the shortlist for the Manchester United job in 2014 before Louis van Gaal was appointed. Mourinho was sacked in December and replaced by Guus Hiddink, who was installed as interim manager by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. Conte is confident that he can get Chelsea competing for the Premier League title again, despite the champions sitting a lowly 13th at present. The 46-year-old’s representatives have spoken to Paris Saint-Germain but Laurent Blanc’s job at the mega-rich French club is safe. It is believed that the Italian FA have already started searching for Conte’s successor. Chelsea refused to comment. The Italian FA were contacted but did not respond. Meanwhile, USA defender Matt Miazga was having a medical at Chelsea last night ahead of a £3.5million move from New York Red Bulls. The 6ft 3in centre back, 20, does not require a work permit because he holds a Polish passport.