Familiar face linked with stunning Chelsea return to replace key figure

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It seems speculation linking Antonio Conte with an exit from Chelsea refuses to go away, while fresh reports suggest a replacement is being lined up.

Despite delivering the Premier League title last season in his first year in charge at Stamford Bridge, problems have been reported between Conte and the Blues dating back to earlier this summer, as noted by Sky Sports.

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While that was initially over a lack of investment in the squad as Chelsea prepared for a return to the Champions League, results to start the season haven’t been entirely impressive.

The reigning champions sit in fourth place in the table after nine games, nine points adrift of leaders Manchester City, although they do sit top of Group C in the Champions League in a group containing Roma and Atletico Madrid.

However, things haven’t seemingly improved enough to end speculation over Conte’s future, as The Sun report that Chelsea don’t envisage the Italian tactician staying in west London for the rest of his contract and in turn they’re planning for the future without him.

Meanwhile, it’s added that former boss Carlo Ancelotti could be the man they choose to replace him, with the former AC Milan, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich coach said to be keen on a return to England and Chelsea specifically.

Although the 58-year-old enjoyed a successful spell at Chelsea between 2009 and 2011, doing the league and FA Cup double in his first season at the helm, the fact that he was sacked by Roman Abramovich in his second year could have left a bad taste in his mouth.

However, based on this report that doesn’t seem to be an issue, and it would be quite the return for Ancelotti to replace his compatriot, although in contrast it would be a huge disappointment for Conte seeing as though he has built his own squad and project at Chelsea and will surely want to be around for as long as possible to see it through and enjoy further success.

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