Inside Luis Enrique’s ‘impressive’ Chelsea talks as former Barcelona boss flies to London for further discussions

Luis Enrique has flown to London to hold further talks with Chelsea to succeed Graham Potter after impressing in initial discussions with the club, according to reports.

The former Barcelona boss, who left his role as Spain national team manager after the 2022 World Cup, has emerged as one of the leading candidates to take the job at Stamford Bridge.

Julian Nagelsmann is on the shortlist and contact has been made with the German, but talks with Enrique have also advanced as Chelsea scope out all of their available options to take the hot-seat in west London.

As reported by Jijantes, Enrique has travelled to London on Wednesday morning with his friend and representative Iván de la Peña for more talks with Chelsea.

It’s been claimed by Miguel Delaney of The Independent that Enrique has earned the chance to speak with the Chelsea hierarchy in person after ‘impressing in initial discussions with the club’.

Enrique, 52, is suggested to have ‘successfully sold a clear vision for the team’ in talks as Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital eye their third manager since taking over in the English capital in May 2022.

The decision was led by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart to sack Potter, with the owners approving, and the duo are leading the search for a new head coach.

It’s reported that Enrique ‘explained his high-intensity and high-pressing approach, that especially fits the young players that Chelsea have brought in’.

No clear decision has yet been made by Chelsea, with the club keeping their options open before deciding on their final choice.

Enrique has already expressed his desire to work in the Premier League one day, revealing: “I follow above all the Premier (League) because I would like to go to England to work.

“I wouldn’t go to any team but to one that could do important things, which greatly reduces the number. I don’t put my hopes up, really, because there are many candidates.

“I am lucky because my personal life fills me up. That it takes longer, that no offers arrive, well, it is what it is. I would go to a team with possibilities. That doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t work in Spain.”

A timeline of when Chelsea hope to name their next head coach is also unclear. They won’t be rushed into a decision despite having a huge Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid next Wednesday.