Chelsea manager search remains in early stages as Fabrizio Romano dismisses Xavi contact reports

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Chelsea FC have no ongoing discussions with Xavi Hernandez regarding the vacant managerial role as of early May. While the club remains actively engaged in its search, Romano explicitly dismissed recent reports suggesting contact had been made between the two parties.

According to Romano, the situation stands at zero contacts between Xavi and Chelsea as of the beginning of May. He noted that even if a meeting were to occur the following morning, he would provide an immediate update, but currently, no such engagement exists. This statement directly contradicts earlier reporting by Ben Jacobs, which suggested Chelsea had reached out to the Barcelona manager.

The club is described as being in the phase of preparing a final list of candidates rather than finalising a choice. Romano indicated that the process is still in its early stages, involving talks with various candidates and their representatives, with no advanced decisions made at this juncture.

Regarding the timeline for an appointment, Romano suggested that Chelsea are expected to announce the new manager at the end of the season. He stated that while there is a significant amount of speculation flying around in the interim, none of it is holding much weight at the moment.

Chelsea's recent acquisition of Joao Pedro is cited as a successful example of buying proven quality for immediate needs. Romano indicated that the club will likely try to repeat this approach in the summer market, focusing on securing talent that can deliver results right away.

The uncertainty surrounding the exact timeline remains a key factor, with Romano noting that the process could extend until the season concludes. Until the club officially confirms a new appointment, the identity of the next manager will remain a subject of conjecture rather than fact.