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Maurizio Sarri's long-time friend has confirmed that the Italian manager has always been fascinated about managing Chelsea.

Although Antonio Conte still remains in charge of the Blues despite talk he would depart Stamford Bridge in the summer, the 59-year-old is the current favourite to replace his fellow countryman in the hotseat.

Sarri, who almost led Napoli to their first league title since 1990, is currently out of a job after Carlo Ancelotti took over at the Stadio San Paolo last month.

Wanted by Zenit St Petersburg to become their new manager, Marco Brachi has confirmed to Il Roma that Chelsea would be the ideal team for Sarri if he is appointed by them this summer.

"They wanted him in Russia, but an aesthete like him, he hardly would have adapted to that type of football," said the Italian football coach.

"It is true, he is 59-years-old, but money isn't everything in life.

"Maurizio has always been fascinated by the hypothesis of Chelsea.

"He would love to coach in England."

He added: "It would be the ideal team for his idea of football. They have players in attack like Willian and Hazard who run so much.

"I'm sure if he were to go, he would certainly bring someone from Naples with him."

A number of Napoli players have been linked with a move to the capital if Sarri takes over, including Elseid Hysaj, Piotr Zielinski and Kalidou Koulibaly.

However, Brachi admits it may be hard to sign the likes of Jorginho and Koulibaly from the Italian side.

"Jorginho is his pupil, although he wants City," said Brachi.

"I joined him in the locker room and he said, 'Marco, in this team there are two phenomena', one was just the Brazilian, ideal for his kind of football the other Koulibaly. But Napoli will hardly sell the defender."

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