Fans are just realising who will be Chelsea's assistant if Enzo Maresca gets the job

Fans are only just realising who will be Chelsea's assistant manager if Enzo Maresca is appointed as Mauricio Pochettino's replacement.

Maresca appears to be the leading candidate for the Blues, who are looking for a swift appointment after relieving Pochettino of his duties.

Kieran McKenna had been on the shortlist but is no longer under consideration after a phone call to the Ipswich Town boss communicated Chelsea's decision.

Interest in Frank has also soured, meaning Maresca is therefore the frontrunner.

And according to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, talks have accelerated and Maresca is in the frame to take the hotseat at Stamford Bridge.

He is expected to sign a two-year deal, with the option of a third if Chelsea and Leicester City agree a £10 million compensation package.

Maresca, a previous member of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City coaching staff, led Leicester back into the Premier League with a stunning title-winning season.

And if the Italian takes the gig, a familiar face is set to join him as his assistant.

His right-hand man at Leicester has been former goalkeeper Willy Caballero, who played 38 times for Chelsea between 2017 and 2021 and won both the Europa League and Champions League.

The former Argentina international moved to England in 2014, joining City after four seasons with Malaga in La Liga.

He went on to make 48 appearances, notably producing penalty-saving heroics in the 2016 League Cup final win over Liverpool and establishing himself as first-choice goalkeeper towards the end of Guardiola's first season.

Enzo Maresca’s number 2? Chelsea cult hero Willy Caballero!

He also has good relations with Joe Shields, Cole Palmer, and Romeo Lavia from at Man City. pic.twitter.com/xertwjZOKC

— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) May 26, 2024

He also had a very brief spell at Southampton before his contract expired and he immediately linked up with Maresca at the King Power Stadium for his first coaching role last summer.

Leicester racked up 97 points from 46 games, pipping Ipswich to the title by a single point.