Chelsea managerial candidate Luis Enrique has refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with the job at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard has flown into London for talks with the Blues, and when asked about how discussions were progressing, he decided to evade the questions by saying:

“If you do the famous haka, I’ll answer you. I come from Formentera! It’s wonderful, a paradise island.”

While Frank Lampard is expected to be unveiled as caretaker until the end of the season, the search for a new permanent manager is being stepped up.

Enrique and former Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann are the two leading candidates, but there are plenty of other names that are believed to be still in the frame as well.

Mauricio Pochettino, Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Oliver Glasner and Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim were also among the initial frontrunners.

There have also been a few left-field choices including Fulham’s Marco Silva, Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, and even former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.