Gary Cahill insists Chelsea are not being distracted by the club’s negotiations with Antonio Conte.
The Italy manager looks certain to be appointed permanent boss in the summer. His representatives have held positive talks and it is understood another meeting is scheduled for later this week.
He is set to sign a three-year contract worth £4.75million after tax but, in a season dominated by the dismissal of Jose Mourinho after the defence of the League title was over before it started, the talks with Conte have taken place against the backdrop of Chelsea’s challenge for the Champions League and FA Cup under the guidance of interim boss Guus Hiddink.
They won successive League games for the first time this term when they came from behind to beat Southampton 2-1 on Saturday but, when asked by Standard Sport if the players have Conte on their minds, Cahill said: “We are not
talking about it. None of us know who the manager is going to be. All the talk about the new manager doesn’t distract us at all.
“We are just focused on the here and now and what we can achieve this season.
“The new manager is all about what might be next season, but we still have this one to continue with.”
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