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Luis Enrique to wait until the summer to take over at Chelsea as former Barcelona boss remains reluctant to end his year's sabbatical prematurely

Luis Enrique remains Chelsea's first choice to be Antonio Conte's permanent replacement but the 47-year-old does not want the job before the end of the season.

The former Barcelona coach is on a year's sabbatical after winning nine trophies in three seasons at the club.

He is extremely reluctant to bring it to a premature end, throwing himself into the daunting task of taking over a squad stretched by an overload of games and low on morale.

Luis Enrique will wait until summer to take over at Chelsea and won't end his sabbatical early
Antonio Conte is walking a tightrope at Chelsea following his side's 4-1 defeat at Watford
Antonio Conte is walking a tightrope at Chelsea following his side's 4-1 defeat at Watford

He is also keen on bringing in at least some of his former backroom staff from those three seasons at Barcelona but they are currently in the middle of a campaign at Spanish club Celta Vigo.