Report: Chelsea tab England assistant Holland as top choice to replace Sarri

Chelsea are reportedly considering a familiar face if they dismiss manager Maurizio Sarri.

England assistant coach Steve Holland is believed to be the Blues' top choice to succeed Sarri until the end of the season, according to The Telegraph's Matt Law and Sam Wallace.

Holland is a well-known figure at Stamford Bridge. In 2009, he was named manager of Chelsea's reserve team and later became part of Andre Villas-Boas' first-team coaching staff in 2011. He was promoted to assistant manager in 2012 and even served as the club's caretaker boss in 2015 for a 3-1 win over Sunderland.

His stint with the Three Lions began in 2013. He served as assistant to Gareth Southgate on the under-21 side before following him to the senior squad in 2016.

In order for Holland to take charge of the west London club, the Football Association would need to be convinced he can balance concurrent jobs with both the Three Lions and Chelsea.

Sarri could be dismissed soon, Law and Wallace note, with difficult matches looming - including the League Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday followed by a midweek clash at home against Tottenham Hotspur. However, after his club's Europa League victory over Malmo on Wednesday, the Italian said he hasn't spoken with Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia or owner Roman Abramovich about his future, according to Sky Sports.