Laurent Blanc may have spent the last two years playing golf and glad-handing officials at UEFA events and draws, but he remains “well placed” to be next Chelsea head coach.
That’s according to the non-blank front page of L’Equipe, which puts Blanc front and right with César Azpilicueta on the left (it’s a picture from one of our repeated meetings in Champions League knockout rounds) and what I’m assuming is a bit of a pun in the middle: “The Blues or the blues” — either new coaching gig or continuing to feel a bit down, a bit blue.
Laurent Blanc's 1st meeting with Chelsea director Maria Granovskaia took place on the 19th of April in Paris, Frenchman still a key candidate for the job, potentially set to become a Kia Joorabchian client, according to tomorrow's L'Équipe.
— Get French Football (@GFFN) June 5, 2018
The subheading claims that Chelsea are at the top of Blanc’s list and while it would seem obvious that Blanc isn’t at the top of Chelsea’s list, we might end up with him anyway. French media, in general, certainly continue to push this angle and even Matt Law’s most report was hinting at it, with bonus reminders that David Luiz used to play for the legend of French football at PSG.
Laurent Blanc fait la Une de @lequipe ce mercredi 6 juin. pic.twitter.com/78vuml1HnK
— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) June 5, 2018
Not to be left behind, Sarri remains big news in Italy. Some have even dipped back into the trusty well of naming future signings for the future (?) Chelsea coach, this time at least making him capable of thinking outside the Napoli-box and aiming for Inter midfielder Matías Vecino.
Aside from that bit of randomness however, the Sarri situation itself remains quagmired in legal talk and posturing, with talkative Naples lawyer Mattia Grassani expertifying on Radio Kiss Kiss yesterday.
“The clause has expired and unless there is a new negotiation, the Coach is still under contract with Napoli. If a club wants to sign him immediately, the €8m is no longer a reference, a contract would have to be drawn up from scratch.
“On June 30 his registration [as Coach] expires and from July 1 [when Carlo Ancelotti takes over] he’ll have been formally removed but he can’t break free [from his contract] except with the permission of the club. In practice the release clause is no longer valid, and any interested club should speak with De Laurentiis to free Sarri from his current contract.”
-Mattia Grassani; source: Radio Kiss Kiss via Football Italia
So basically nothing’s changed and whoever wants Sarri still has to go through Di Laurentiis, even after June 30th. Chelsea appear adamant in not wanting to pay for Sarri to come here (or for Conte to leave, for that matter), and thus Blanc can indeed feel “well placed” to land himself at Stamford Bridge.