Roberto De Zerbi is the fourth name on Chelsea’s shortlist to succeed Mauricio Pochettino alongside Kieran McKenna, Enzo Maresca and Thomas Frank.

Mail Sport can confirm that the former Brighton boss, 44, is in the running alongside the other candidates as Chelsea close in on their next head coach.

The shortlist has been drawn up with a desire for a dynamic, forward-thinking and progressive coach who fits in with the club’s ideology.

It also places stock in experience in English football, with Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness and Girona’s Michel having fallen out of the running. Xavi, who left Barcelona this week, is not being considered either.

De Zerbi is no longer with Brighton after leaving by mutual consent. However, if Chelsea were to snap him up, they would still have to pay compensation to the Seagulls.

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