Is Laurent Blanc the right boss for Chelsea?

The managerial situation at Chelsea is one that is often discussed, as the Blues seem to go through a lot of bosses. The current incumbent Antonio Conte’s future is in doubt after his team missed out on a top-four spot in the Premier League last season.

A number of bosses have been linked with the job including now ex-Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane and former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri. However, the most interesting name linked with the job is Laurent Blanc, who is now odds of 2/1 to be the next Blues boss, which makes him the second favourite behind Sarri. In fact, according to the Daily Star, Chelsea are set to offer Blanc the job at Stamford Bridge.

Why Laurent Blanc?

As soon as I read the story, I thought to myself why Laurent Blanc? The 52-year-old has been out of the game for two years after guiding PSG to three straight Ligue One titles virtually unchallenged.

His feat of winning Ligue One with Bordeaux in 2008/09 was a rather more impressive achievement. However, that was pre-PSG money, so the French top-flight was a rather more open affair back then.

I have to say rightly or wrongly I have never viewed Blanc as a great boss. He was a top captain and centre-back during his playing days, but I cannot say I have seen anything special during his managerial career so far.

Maybe the fact that he is available without compensation is a draw for the Blues. However, the likes of Sarri and Zidane are also now unemployed, but the Blues reportedly would still have to pay Napoli a fee to appoint Sarri, while Zidane looks set to take a break from football.

Bosses don’t last long at Stamford Bridge

Blanc has lasted a few years in each of his managerial roles. Chelsea bosses do not last that long, as the clubs hierarchy tend to get impatient, as do the fans.

This is usually due to the players downing tools when the going gets tough, which has happened under a few bosses. It is not exclusive to Chelsea, but with the Blues in particular, no matter what players are in the squad they seem to leave the manager in the lurch after winning a title.

Conte experienced it last season, before that it was Jose Mourinho. No doubt both are highly talented bosses but have struggled to create anything lasting. That will be the big challenge for the next Blues boss. Does Laurent Blanc have the staying power to defy the trend?

Chelsea expect a top boss

Chelsea as a football club now expects to have a top boss at the helm, simply because of their recent history of winning trophies. Mourinho and Conte have been examples of the sort of appointments the Blues have made.

The pair had histories of winning big domestic trophies, which I suppose Blanc has as well. However, Blanc has not won the amount of silverware on such a consistent basis as the aforementioned pair.

If I were a Chelsea fan, I would be hoping that the Blues went all out to get Zinedine Zidane. The Frenchman has enjoyed an unbelievably successful two and a half years in charge of Real Madrid. However, it seems the demands of managing Los Blancos got to the former Juventus playmaker. At 45, he is still young in terms of bosses but has shown his managerial acumen already.

Whoever gets the job, they will have a big job on their hands to help Chelsea back to the top of the table, as last season’s champions Manchester City look set to strengthen their squad further this summer. Whether Blanc is appointed or is the right man for the job is unclear. It is a difficult job for anybody. The Frenchman seems to divide opinion amongst Chelsea fans, so he will have many doubters to prove wrong if he does get the job.

Is Laurent Blanc the right boss for Chelsea?