Chelsea are set to appoint Leicester manager Enzo Maresca as their new head coach, with the 44-year-old Italian in advanced talks with the club. Maresca has impressed Chelsea with his knowledge of their squad and his single-minded focus on the way they want to play.

Maresca is now the leading candidate to replace Mauricio Pochettino, who left the club by mutual consent last week. Chelsea have asked Leicester for permission to speak with Maresca and are willing to pay compensation, with a fee of around £10m expected.

Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi were also considered for the role, but Maresca’s obsession with possession and positional play have made him the preferred choice. The new head coach will sign a contract longer than the two-year deal Pochettino accepted last summer.

Chelsea co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart drew up the final shortlist of recommended candidates, with the final decision made by the Chelsea ownership group. A decision is expected this week, with Chelsea wanting the new head coach in place by the start of June.

Maresca has only been a manager for one-and-a-half seasons, but his experience working under Pep Guardiola has given him a head start. His knowledge of the Chelsea squad, including youth team players, is impressive, and he shares the club’s vision for the future.