Rafa Benitez and Avram Grant on Chelsea FC´s Roman Abramovich´s shortlist

Roman Abramovich is widely reported to be a keen admirer of Pep Guardiola, and with the Ex-Barcelona manager on a year-long sabbatical out of the game, reports suggest the Chelsea boss will look to find a temporary replacement until the summer.

Rafa Benitez has spoken to press on the subject, suggesting he was very interested in the vacancy. The manager would have the backing of Fernando Torres, and the manager claims that he could get the misfiring Spaniard back getting goals. The manager is rumoured to be on his way to London for talks, but it is yet to be seen whether he would be willing to take the job on a temporary basis.

If the Spaniard is not declared as manager in the next 24 hours I would strongly suggest putting your money elsewhere.

That could lead us to Avram Grant, who knows the club very well from his spell as director of football, and as caretaker manager of the club which ended after Chelsea FC´s loss on penalties in the Champions League final in may 2008. The Israeli was deemed surplus to requirements on a permanent basis back then, but could be willing to return on a temporary basis.

Avram Grant guided Chelsea to the League Cup final, the Champions League final, and also took the Premier League title to the last game of the season and was considered rather unlucky not too have been given the job on a permanent basis, especially as he was one penalty away from giving Roman Abramovich the one trophy that had eluded him until last season, the Champions League.

Do we really want Rafa in charge? How about Grant? He is certainly not lacking in experience, but if the press are right, it looks like Benitez is in until the summer…