Chelsea look set to wield the axe over Antonio Conte in the coming weeks due to what owner Roman Abramovich believes was a poor season for the Blues.

Conte won the Premier League in his first season at Stamford Bridge but there were always question marks over Abramovich’s trust in the Italian, and it seems Conte’s failings last year, despite an FA Cup win, is enough to merit the search for a new manager.

Various media outlets have linked former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane with the job, but reports this week claim fellow Frenchman Laurent Blanc is also in the running.

Express Sport understands Blanc is nearing an agreement for the job, a revelation that may surprise a few as he has been out of a managerial job since 2016 after leaving PSG. But the 52-year-old has a strong CV, and not many Chelsea fans would complain if he was the man to take over at Stamford Bridge.

However, Spanish website El Gol Digital say the Blues believe Zidane is the man for the job – but worry no Champions League football next season will deter him from taking the job.

Zidane resigned as Real Madrid manager despite winning the Champions League just days before, Los Blancos’ third in a row.

It remains to be seen who will take over at Stamford Bridge, but it looks more likely than not that Conte will be heading out.