Chelsea experiencing dilemma regarding Antonio Conte's situation

FA Cup holders Chelsea are currently in a difficult situation with manager Antonio Conte following Real Madrid's decision to appoint Julen Lopetegui as their next head coach.

The 45-year-old was named as Los Blancos' new manager on Tuesday and shortly after the Spanish FA took the shock decision to sack him on the eve of the World Cup finals.

According to The Telegraph, the Blues were hoping that Conte would become Los Blancos' next manager in order to witness his mutual exit from Stamford Bridge.

However, with this no longer the case, the west London giants have to pay a compensation fee worth £9m to release Conte or else they may have to stick with him for the final year of his contract.

The Blues are understood to have earmarked Maurizio Sarri as a successor to Conte but the deal appears to have reached a standstill with owner Roman Abramovich still reluctant to pay the severance package.