Chelsea have had “initial contact” with intermediaries ahead of potential talks with manager Antonio Conte, according to The Independent‘s Miguel Delaney.

The newspaper’s chief football writer claims that the Blues could hold formal talks with the 53-year-old as early as “next week”.  Conte was sacked in acrimonious circumstances in 2018 and he has since managed rivals Tottenham but, after being given his marching orders last month, he is a free agent. Fans on Twitter are split on whether re-appointing the Italian would be a good idea:

That would be a disaster

— Phill Spector (@PBandSpecs) April 5, 2023

Better than Lampard

— K.M. (@KM07070) April 5, 2023

This is a joke

— Kadmiel (@Kadmiel_09) April 5, 2023

That’s my limit, I’d be gone

— m (@cfcmmb) April 5, 2023

A chance of silverware?

— Winst SG (@blueboy8828) April 6, 2023

This is where I draw the line

— ✈️ (@ELpadrino419) April 5, 2023

I can see it

— Xander Roels (@XanderRoels) April 5, 2023

Won’t happen ever

— the online (@athuman_kabwana) April 5, 2023

It should be pointed out that Conte is a manager who usually brings with him instant results. He won the Premier League title during his first season at Stamford Bridge, accruing 93 points in the process.

However, he isn’t someone you can build a long-term future around, and you can’t imagine he’d be particularly comfortable with the club’s transfer strategy; bringing in young players.

Conte has always preferred experience over youth, and it’s a big reason why he wouldn’t be a good fit for Chelsea at this time.