Chelsea are just days away from an FA Cup final. A day filled with so much potential glory. England's most historic cup competition - one that the Blues have won an impressive eight times.
Yet, there is no exciting feeling of anticipation in West London. Instead, there is the kind of dread which has become all too familiar. That summarises BlueCo's reign.
todd-boehly-behdad-eghbali-chelsea-premier-league
The failing owners have once again span their wheel of managers, hoping to finally land on a long-awaited jackpot. This time, however, there may well be the threat of complete bust if they get things wrong, making the next appointment their most important yet.
"Best young coach in the world" wants the Chelsea job
Since drawing at Anfield, those at Stamford Bridge have been handed plenty of positive news. There could yet be light at the end of a tunnel which has been filled to the brim with waste over recent years.
Chelsea v Brentford - Stamford Bridge Related
[Fabrizio Romano reveals Chelsea manager target has "rejected proposals"](https://www.footballfancast.com/fabrizio-romano-reveals-chelsea-manager-target-has-rejected-proposals/ "Fabrizio Romano reveals Chelsea manager target has "rejected proposals"")
The reporter dropped an update on Chelsea's managerial search on his Youtube channel.
The main name mentioned by The Athletic's David Ornstein has been Xabi Alonso. The former Real Madrid manager has emerged as a top contender and Chelsea are now exploring a deal to secure his services. Meanwhile, the Spaniard himself is also reportedly open to the possibility, although nothing is advanced at this stage.
He's not the only Spaniard in the headlines, either. According to Fabrizio Romano, Andoni Iraola is now keen to take the Chelsea job after he leaves Bournemouth this summer.
Iraola's future has been in many headlines as of late. However, with Manchester United likely keeping Michael Carrick and Edin Terzic landing the Athletic Bilbao job, Chelsea have a real opportunity to win the race for a manager who's been dubbed the "best young coach in the world" by Sky Sports pundit Sam Tighe.
Romano even claimed that Iraola is "excited" by the possibility of managing Chelsea in what should be seen as a major boost for all involved.
Why Iraola can become Chelsea's new Conte
The Chelsea dressing room is almost as ill-disciplined as the board members making the big decisions at Stamford Bridge.
It hounded out Graham Potter from the off, settled under Enzo Maresca before BlueCo had enough, and ensured that the inexperienced Liam Rosenior never truly stood a chance.
Maresca's record at Chelsea (timeless)
If Antonio Conte even dared to walk through those doors these days, he may well walk straight back out before he can even enjoy his first explosive, mid-season press conference. The good news for the players, in that regard, is that they can breathe a sigh of relief. Conte is still at Napoli.
The bad news? Well, the bad news is that Iraola could be on his way to finally add some intensity to this side. The Spaniard, whilst not as ruthless as Conte, has a similar focus on intensity and fitness.
When Conte arrived, he introduced double sessions in the LA heat. It was either get in shape or get out. There were certainly no leaks of managerial nicknames from within the camp, either.
10 years on from that dramatic change, Iraola could have the same task on his hands. His Bournemouth side are one of the most intense sides in the Premier League out of possession.
They are rarely outworked. Chelsea, meanwhile, have been outrun by all but one side this season and that was Arne Slot's Liverpool last weekend.
PL 25/26 Bournemouth Chelsea
Distance covered P90 (rank) 3rd 7th
Pressing sequences 414 383
Presses leading to goals 6 6
Presses to shots percentage 18.9% 23.55%
The numbers certainly make for interesting reading if you're Iraola. On paper, this is a side that has been outrun for the majority of the season and certainly not one that presses with high intensity.
In reality, however, this Chelsea side, when they press, do so with great effect. It shows that the Blues are more than capable of doing it to a high level, earning a higher percentage of shots and scoring the same number of goals as Bournemouth by pressing.
andoni-iraola-bournemouth-premier-league
Those at Stamford Bridge simply need the license to do it every week, which Iraola would provide in abundance.
xabi-alonso-chelsea Related
[Chelsea hold in-person talks with "elite" coach as Alonso to Liverpool update shared](https://www.footballfancast.com/chelsea-next-manager-andoni-iraola-xabi-alonso-liverpool/ "Chelsea hold in-person talks with "elite" coach as Alonso to Liverpool update shared")
The west Londoners are casting their net wide.