Tony Cascarino says Chelsea will be getting a manager similar to Jose Mourinho if Antonio Conte makes the move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Conte, who is currently coach of the Italian national side, is the favourite to become the permanent successor to Mourinho at the end of the season, with interim boss Guus Hiddink expected to retire from coaching in the summer despite a successful second spell in west London.
The former Juventus coach was reported in several of Wednesday's newspapers to be in talks with the club and Cascarino told Sky Sports News HQ that Conte is cut from the same cloth as Mourinho in demanding absolute loyalty from his players.
"He's a discplinarian," he said. "There's the story where he challenged Buffon because he was a minute late for a game when he was Juve boss.
"He sets standards, he's very Mourinho-like, he expects everyone to be on board and total professionalism.
"I think that's what Chelsea are looking for and he will give them that, but there's also a side to him like Mourinho that he can communicate with players and get the best out of them and lift their levels.
"He's done brilliantly at Juventus and I think he's finding it difficult as Italy coach because of the conflict between club and country."
"As a coach he's very flexible - he has played with three at the back, he has played with a back four.
"He's a manager of the modern game, part of a new breed coming through that are prepared to be flexible with their team."