Laurent Blanc Q&A: Who is the man poised to take over at Chelsea?

Former Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc has emerged as a serious candidate to take over as Chelsea manager this summer.

The Blues are on the verge of changing manager for the 14th time in 15 years, if you include caretaker bosses, and Blanc appears to be the man primed to follow Antonio Conte.

So, who is Blanc, and what can Chelsea fans expect if he is to succeed Conte at Stamford Bridge this summer?

Who is Laurent Blanc?

Blanc was a formidable defender in a playing career that saw him turn out for Montpellier, Napoli, Saint-Etienne, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Manchester United among others.

He has experience of English football after spending two seasons under Sir Alex Ferguson between 2001 and 2003. His stint at Old Trafford was very much in the twilight years though and, after helping United win the 2002/03 Premier League title, he called time on his playing career once his contract expired.

Blanc was also part of the French squad that won the 1998 World Cup on home soil. Nicknamed 'Le President' at Marseille because of his leadership strengths, Blanc was ruled out of the final against Brazil after being sent off in the last four against Croatia for slapping Slaven Bilic.

What has he done as a manager?

In his first job at Bordeaux Blanc not only won the league and cup double in his second season at the club, but also took them to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. It was Bordeaux's first league title in 10 years, and they haven't finished in the top four since his departure.

Then the French national team job came calling in 2010 following the scandal involving Raymond Domenech at the World Cup in South Africa. Blanc led his country to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 where they were eventually beaten by Spain.

He was hired by PSG after Carlo Ancelotti departed for Real Madrid in 2013. Blanc left after three seasons in charge in June 2016 after the club managed to win Ligue 1 and the French Cup but failed to reach the Champions League semi-finals in his final year in charge.

Blanc won 11 trophies during his time in charge of PSG, and on two occasions won the domestic quadruple of Ligue 1, the French Cup, the League Cup and the French Super Cup.

Why is he out of work?

There is not one specific reason for Blanc being out of work for two years but his lack of Champions League success may concern the continent's top teams when they are inspecting the market.

At PSG he never made it past the quarter-final stage and, as we have seen with Unai Emery, domestic success will only please the Qatari owners for so long.

Blanc has also admitted to being particularly picky when asked about potential jobs. He has said: 'I know I'm fussy, only a big club would interest me. If not, I'll face facts and think of something else.'

What can Chelsea expect?

Blanc prefers to concentrate on his own team's set-up rather than tailoring his tactics to counter the opposition's strengths.

There is a serious onus put on possession with Blanc's teams wanting to dominate the ball. His time at Barcelona as a player, although brief, has clearly had some significance on his coaching style. The defender spent just one campaign at the Nou Camp and signed on the day that Johan Cruyff was sacked.

Both PSG and Bordeaux boasted the highest possession in France with Blanc in charge while he also put his faith in a number of youngsters in Paris with Adrien Rabiot, Kingsley Coman and Presnel Kimpembe all integrated.

Is he any good in the transfer market?

It may be too difficult to judge given the riches he was afforded when in charge of PSG.

Edinson Cavani and Marquinhos, both crucial players at Parc des Princes now, were purchased in his first summer in charge while David Luiz and Angel Di Maria followed in the windows after.

Chelsea's absence in next season's Champions League may make it harder to lure players to Stamford Bridge this summer with a shake-up in terms of personnel needed after a disappointing campaign.

What happened to Maurizio Sarri?

Chelsea are expected to move into gear when director Marina Granovskaia returns from a break next week but Sarri no longer appears to be first choice to succeed Conte amid concerns about his past.

The situation with Sarri was already complicated by a £7million release clause at Napoli but Chelsea are now more alarmed by an exchange the Italian had with new Italy manager Roberto Mancini.

Mancini accused Sarri of hurling homophobic insults at him during a touchline row when he was Inter Milan boss. Sarri was fined €20,000 and banned for two Coppa Italia matches.

At a time when Chelsea are dealing with historic abuse and racism claims, there is understandably no desire to appoint a controversial manager.