Transfer Rumour: Former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique a shock target to replace Antonio Conte at Chelsea

Chelsea are reportedly considering former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique as a replacement for current manager Antonio Conte.

According to a report by The Telegraph, Antonio Conte may be replaced by ex-Barcelona manager Luis Enrique if the Italian is relieved of his duties this summer.

Some early reports did suggest that Conte will be leaving the Premier League champions Chelsea despite an excellent season and those rumours have become stronger due to the Italian manager’s frustration over the way the Blues conduct their transfer business.

Conte’s impromptu decision to let Diego Costa leave ahead of next season also did not sit well with the club’s management. Although the club wants him to sign a new contract which will make him the highest-paid manager in their history, it is unsure if he even wants to continue at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will hope to sign Timeoue Bakayoko from Monaco and Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, but they are not willing to change their recruitment strategy to appease Conte. The fact is that the Blues have won two Premier League titles in the last three years and hence believe that there is no need to change their strategy at this point.

If that happens, Chelsea are eyeing Luis Enrique. The Spanish tactician is out of work after leaving the Nou Camp at the end of last season since he wanted a break from the game, but now it looks like he might head to Stamford Bridge sometime soon.

Enrique enjoyed three successful seasons with the Spanish giants and even picked up two La Liga titles. Barcelona also recorded a treble in the Spaniard’s first year in charge. However, he failed to establish himself in the eyes of some supporters since he brought about several changes in the team’s style of play.

While Enrique might seem like a good option, there can be some valid concerns among the fans as to how he will fare in a club without a forward line containing the power of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

As far as Conte is concerned, Chelsea will not change their transfer tactics for him and even if he raised this issue to the board, it might be pointed out that this transfer policy is the same that recruited him and also won two Premier League titles for the club in three years.