Chelsea will reportedly chase Laurent Blanc as their "prime candidate" to replace Antonio Conte at the club's helm, and are said to have former Blues boss Avram Grant lined up as an emergency option.
Blanc, who hasn't managed since leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2016, recently emerged as a new candidate but has picked up speed after Chelsea missed the deadline to pay Maurizio Sarri's release clause, perSami Mokbel and Matt Lawtonof the Daily Mail.
The club's priorities appear to have changed after owner Roman Abramovich wasn't permitted to renew his visa and delayed plans on their new 60,000-seat stadium, with his future in the United Kingdom said to be in doubt.