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Reports: Chelsea eye Juliano Belletti and Luis Enrique tag team

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

MIDDLESBROUGH, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 18: Juliano Belletti of Chelsea shoots and scores his teams second goal of the game during the Barclays Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Chelsea at the Riverside Stadium on October 18, 2008 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 18: Juliano Belletti of Chelsea shoots and scores his teams second goal of the game during the Barclays Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Chelsea at the Riverside Stadium on October 18, 2008 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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With Antonio Conte’s future as uncertain as ever, Chelsea are reportedly eyeing up Juliano Belletti as a director of football to work alongside Luis Enrique.

While Chelsea’s comical pursuit of a backup striker continues, rumours regarding managerial reshuffles grow. The latest reports claim that the Blues are targeting Juliano Belletti as a potential director of football to team up with Luis Enrique in the head coach role.

The former Chelsea full-back is being discussed as an effective successor to Michael Emenalo.

"Chelsea are considering hiring former Blues defender Juliano Belletti as their director of football to work alongside Antonio Conte’s possible replacement Luis Enrique. – Evening Standard"

Emenalo left his role as technical director earlier this season. Since his departure, Marina Granovskaia has reportedly assumed his duties. However, as the Blues continue to struggle to strike deals in the transfer market, the appointment of a dedicated director of football makes sense.

Belletti is a director of Coritiba, a Brazilian second division club, and so has a little bit of experience. However, the role at Stamford Bridge represents a big step up.

Enrique, meanwhile, appears like a feasible candidate to replace Antonio Conte. The Spaniard has been out of work since leaving Barcelona last summer.

The ex-Barcelona player won an eye-watering amount of silverware whilst in charge of the Catalan club. Given that he is a free agent, Chelsea would not need to pay any compensation to bring him to West London.

Moreover, his extended break means he will be unlikely to turn the job down. The opportunity to work with Belletti, a former Nou Camp player and current Barcelona ambassador, should only increase the attractiveness of the role.

Having said that, Chelsea will still be taking a punt by hiring Belletti. He will likely need to work under Granovskaia in order to learn what’s required from him.

Next: Chelsea have unusual leverage in transfer market, if they know how to use it

What do you think of this potential pairing? Are you excited to see Juliano Belletti back at Stamford Bridge? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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