Chelsea tipped to appoint ‘elite’ manager after source’s Roberto De Zerbi reveal – Agbonlahor
Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is not the answer to the problems at Chelsea and urged them to appoint an “elite” manager.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Blues must “learn their lesson” from the appointment of under-pressure Graham Potter – who was headhunted at Brighton just six months ago.
Sources told this site on Tuesday (28 February) that Chelsea have a genuine interest in appointing Brighton manager De Zerbi – who is also interesting rivals Tottenham.
Football Insider also revealed on Saturday (4 March) that unemployed big names Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique and Zinedine Zidane have also been shortlisted by the Stamford Bridge club.
Chelsea have been cut well adrift of the fight for Champions League qualification and are in danger of missing out on a place in Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign.
The Blues’ struggles have been set against a backdrop of lavish transfer spending which has totalled a reported £541million this season.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I can’t see Chelsea going for De Zerbi.
“Obviously if the defeats keep coming for Potter, he will have to lose his job. That’s clear.
“But they’ve got to have learned their lesson. They can’t go for someone who has done well at a smaller club.
“They’ve got to go for an elite manager with a track record of working at the highest level.
“There’s no way De Zerbi is the answer to this problem they’re facing. They’ve got to look elsewhere.”
In other news, Chelsea star is “huge Jurgen Klopp admirer” as Liverpool now eye summer move.