Roberto De Zerbi considered as the ‘favourite’ for the Chelsea job with the ex-Brighton boss on a four-man shortlist to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge

Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is a leading candidate for the Chelsea job after Mail Sport confirmed his previously secret inclusion on their four-strong shortlist.

De Zerbi is in the running alongside Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna, Leicester’s Enzo Maresca and Brentford’s Thomas Frank with crucial days ahead in the search for Mauricio Pochettino’s successor. 

One club insider described the 44-year-old Italian as the ‘favourite’ as he is considered to tick the boxes that Chelsea are looking for, though nothing is finalised as of yet.

Chelsea finalised their shortlist with a focus on finding a dynamic, forward-thinking and progressive coach who fits in with the club’s ideology. They are also keen on the chosen candidate having experience in English football at a high level.

De Zerbi spent the last two seasons managing Brighton in the Premier League, guiding them into Europe for the first time in their history with a brand of possession-based football.

The Blues waved goodbye to boss Mauricio Pochettino following the end of the season

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna (left) and Brentford’s Thomas Frank (right) are also been considered for the vacant Chelsea job

Leicester’s promotion-winning coach Enzo Maresca is another candidate for the vacancy

Despite having a contract until 2026, De Zerbi left Brighton by mutual consent at the end of the season after he and owner-chairman Tony Bloom agreed they had different ‘ideas and visions’.

If Chelsea succeeded in snapping up De Zerbi, they will still have to pay compensation to Brighton, currently said to be worth around £5million. 

The South Coast club made sure to include that as insurance in their amicable split in case another club swooped this summer.

Xavi is not being considered by Chelsea after leaving Barcelona, while Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness and Girona’s Michel have dropped out of the running and Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim not on the shortlist. 

Chelsea supporters reacted positively to the news that De Zerbi is among the four candidates. 

In one poll conducted on social media after Mail Sport’s report, he received a heavy backing of 72.8 per cent from the 26,000 votes lodged. Maresca followed on 13.4 per cent, McKenna on 8.9 per cent and Frank on five per cent.

De Zerbi bid farewell to Brighton on the season’s final day as speculation surrounded him and a move to Bayern Munich, who are set to snatch Vincent Kompany from Burnley instead.

A switch to Chelsea would see De Zerbi reunited with Levi Colwill and Moises Caicedo as well as Mykhailo Mudryk from his time at Shakhtar Donetsk. Co-sporting director Paul Winstanley also briefly worked with De Zerbi at Brighton.