Diego Simeone to Chelsea: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich 'has doubts over hiring Atletico Madrid manager'

The Argentine lifted the La Liga title in 2014 before also leading them to the Champions League final

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has been linked with a move to Chelsea (Getty Images)

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is said to be harbouring misgivings about the merits of hiring Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.

The Argentine lifted the La Liga title in 2014 before also leading them to the Champions League final but the Daily Mail today report the Blues hierarchy have reservations.

Abramovich is keen to avoid the sort of criticisms sent their way during Jose Mourinho’s second spell at Stamford Bridge with some pundits likening the brand of football at the Vicente Calderon to the Portuguese’s favoured style.

Atletico are second in the Spanish league table, three points adrift of leaders Barcelona, but Simeone has been credited with finding a way to bridge the enormous financial gap between Luis Enrique’s side, Real Madrid and the wider La Liga contingent.

Meanwhile Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has denied speculation linking him with Chelsea. "There's nothing to it," he told Sky Italia. "I cannot either confirm or deny something that doesn't exist.

"I want this matter over and done with now. What's important for me right now is to get to the end of the season with Juventus and try and win some silverware."