Chelsea face battle with Argentina for Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone if Roman Abramovich sacks Jose Mourinho
Mourinho faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge after his side suffered a seventh defeat of the season at Stoke on Saturday
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea are considering a move for Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone if owner Roman Abramovich decides to sack Jose Mourinho this season, but the Blues face a bidding war with the Argentina national team to lure him to the Premier League.
Mourinho continues to face growing pressure at Stamford Bridge after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Stoke saw Chelsea remain 16th in the Premier League table in their worst start to a season since 1978/79. To make matters worse, Mourinho wasn’t even at the Britannia for the loss due to his one-match stadium ban, and he is currently the favourite to be the next Premier League manager to get the axe.
Simeone has already been earmarked as a possible replacement should Mourinho leave, with the likes of Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti also linked with a possible move. However, according to the Daily Express, Chelsea face a battle with the Argentine Football Association for Simeone’s services, as they want the former international to return to his homeland to lead the national team.
Abramovich is understood to have not considered dismissing Mourinho yet, with his four-year contract and subsequent £30m compensation fee a likely swaying factor in his decision-making. But if Chelsea continue their dismal run of form that has seen the defending champions lose seven of their 12 league games this season, then Abramovich will be forced to act.
The Blues suffered three straight league defeats for the first time since Abramovich bought the London club in 2003 after losses to West Ham, Liverpool and Stoke, and while Chelsea fans have stuck by Mourinho by persistently chanting his name from the stands, the players have not enjoyed as much support.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp stressed his belief following Saturday’s defeat that striker Diego Costa needs to start scoring again or risk being dropped, while midfielder Cesc Fabregas came in for huge criticism from Chelsea fans on Twitter after his poor cameo from the substitutes’ bench on Saturday. Eden Hazard put in a much improved showing, but the Belgium international still looks a shadow of his former self this season.
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