Enzo Maresca is expected to be named as Mauricio Pochettino's replacement after Leicester granted Chelsea permission to speak with their head coach.
Pochettino left Chelsea after the end of the Premier League season, which saw the Blues finish sixth.
The majority of the campaign saw Chelsea float around mid-table before they won their final five games of the season to secure European football.
But that wasn't enough for Pochettino to stay in charge for next season with the Blues creating a shortlist of options to come in as the club's ownership group's fourth manager in two years.
Enzo Maresca has emerged as the frontrunner to become Chelsea's new manager
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Ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi was initially instilled as the favourite after being named on a four-man shortlist.
Kieran McKenna was also seen as an option given his impressive work at Ipswich along with Brentford boss Thomas Frank.
However, Maresca has now emerged as the frontrunner to take the Chelsea job with reports indicating talks are moving quickly.
Leicester are said to have granted Chelsea permission to speak with Maresca.
The Blues will reportedly offer Maresca a contract which will be at least five years long.
Chelsea will have to pay Leicester a compensation fee, which is allegedly around £10million.
Willy Caballero, who spent four years at Chelsea as a goalkeeper, is expected to join Maresca as his No 2.
Maresca began his coaching career at Manchester City where he worked with the development squad.
Leicester won the Championship under Enzo Maresca
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His first managerial appointment came at Italian side Parma, but he was dismissed after just six months in charge.
The 44-year-old then returned to City where he was hired as a member of Pep Guardiola's coaching staff in 2022.
Leicester then took a chance on the Italian coach following their relegation to the Premier League.
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Enzo Maresca worked with Pep Guardiola for one season at Manchester City
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He embedded himself into the club straight away as he spent the first two months living at Leicester's training base.
Leicester saw a host of first-team stars depart in Maresca's first summer in charge with James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Timothy Castagne and Youri Tielemans among those to depart.
And some of their replacements proved pivotal in helping Leicester earn promotion straight back to the Premier League with the likes of Harry Winks, Stephy Mavididi and Mads Hermansen playing crucial roles.
