'Conte the most obvious choice for Chelsea' says Liverpool legend

Stuart Telford

• 7 Apr 2023 16:25 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea should appoint Antonio Conte as Chelsea manager this summer ahead of Mauricio Pochettino and Luis Enrique according to former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore.

Chelsea sacked Graham Potter on Sunday, replacing him with club legend Frank Lampard until the end of the season.

The former midfielder has been re-appointed on a caretaker basis, with the Blues keeping their options open for a more permanent successor in due course.

READ: Ancelotti could make shock Chelsea return

A host of big names have been linked with the job, from Jose Mourinho and John Terry to Julian Nagelsmann and Carlo Ancelotti, but news has been curiously slow around Conte.

The Italian led Chelsea to the Premier League in 2017 and the FA Cup the following year. He was most recently in charge of Tottenham Hotspur but sacked after an outburst about the club's culture a week before Potter was relieved of his duties at Stamford Bridge.

Available for no compensation and with a proven track record, Collymore thinks it is incredible Chelsea haven't made a move for their former manager.

READ: Chelsea to swoop for Man Utd target as Lampard plans take shape

What did Collymore say?

"I'm amazed that even though we've seen a whole host of names linked with the position, Antonio Conte hasn't been one," the former Liverpool and England striker told Caught Offside.

"Why should Mauricio Pochettino and Luis Enrique be ahead of Conte; a man who has already won everything at Chelsea? He's also a manager that rules with an iron fist so he wouldn't be scared to clear out the deadwood in the summer.

"In my opinion, Conte is the most obvious choice so I am stunned he isn't being mentioned more."

A mass exodus is expected from Chelsea next summer, whether or not Lampard remains at the helm. American billionaire owner Todd Boehly has sanctioned a €6 million spend in the transfer market and the club need to balance the books amid Financial Fair Play fears.