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| Simeone is said to want to see out the whole season in Madrid |
CHELSEA have made moves to sound out Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone as a possible successor to Jose Mourinho.
The Argentinian is under contract at Atletico until 2020 but News News Blog Sport can reveal that Chelsea have already made plans for the possibility of life after Mourinho - and Simeone is top of their list.
But Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich faces competition from Simeone's native Argentina, who want to bring the highly successful Atletico boss back to his home country as their new national team manager, to replace Gerardo Martino.
Simeone does, however, have break-out clauses in his contract which could allow him to leave this summer, after a spell in charge at the Vicente Calderon which has seen him win the La Liga title in 2014, the Europa League and Super Cup in 2012 and the Copa Del Rey in 2013.
This season though his side have struggled and friends have suggested he could be ready for a new challenge.
Simeone would not come until the summer, however, which would leave Abramovich with the task of finding a caretaker manager if he decided to end Mourinho's time in charge now.
The most likely option is still former Dutch coach Guus Hiddink, who is currently out of a job and would readily agree to come back, after winning the FA Cup with the club in 2009 in the same interim role. He celebrated his 68th birthday yesterday.
But Abramovich is still reluctant to pull the trigger on Mourinho at the moment, despite another disastrous defeat at Stoke on Saturday, which saw the manager watch the game from the team hotel after being banned by the FA from being in the stadium.
The Russian owner will ponder Mourinho's future this week during the international break but, after an unprecedented three successive defeats - and seven in 12 Premier League games in total this season - Mourinho's hold on his job is becoming ever more tenuous.
Chelsea's next game is against Norwich at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight - and defeat in that game would more than likely spell the end.
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| Chelsea were forced to deal with Stoke without Mourinho present, which could become permanent |
The enduring support from the fans for Mourinho despite the team's difficulties in this current run, plus the lack of immediate availability of a top-class replacement, is also stalling Abramovich's hand.
Chelsea actually played well at the Britannia Stadium, with Eden Hazard, badly out of form so far this season, in particular putting in his best performance of the season.
It certainly did not look as though Mourinho's players were not playing for their manager, even though he was not actually there.
Chelsea are already looking for reinforcements for their beleaguered squad during the January transfer window, which is likely to be busy whoever is in charge.
With worries increasing over the form of front man Diego Costa, who has scored only twice in the league so far, a new front man is the priority, with Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezman the chief target.
Shakhtar Donetsk's Alex Teixeira is also on their list, as is a centre-back, with Paris Saint-Germain's Marquinhos and Everton's John Stones still targets.
But the club are already making moves to ensure that their best player this season, Brazilian free-kick specialist Willian, is not tempted away by either Bayern Munich or PSG.
The midfielder, top scorer this season with five goals, has three years left on his current deal, but Chelsea want to tie the 27 year old down to a longer deal and talks have already begun with his representatives.
Whether those negotiations involve Mourinho remain to be seen. But he is still in the Chelsea hotseat. For now.
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