AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini could be poised to join the backroom staff at Chelsea, BBC Sport understands.
A deal would mean the veteran Italian, who spent his 25-year career at the San Siro, teaming up again with coach Carlo Ancelotti, who left Milan for Chelsea.
The 40-year-old left-back, who only quit playing at the end of the 2008-09 season, won seven Serie A titles and five Champions League trophies.
Talks are understood to be ongoing, although a role has not been specified.
BBC Radio 5 live's senior football reporter, Ian Dennis, said: "I understand that a high-level meeting took place between Carlo Ancelotti, Paolo Maldini and Roman Abramovich at Chelsea's training ground on Friday.
"There's been talk of him being either a general manager or a joint-assistant coach alongside Ray Wilkins, but at the moment any role for Madini is unspecified.
"He's only just retired from a glittering career and it's a question of whether he is willing to embark straight away into a coaching career, but it seems clear that Ancelotti wants him as part of his backroom staff."
Maldini, who made more than 900 appearances for Milan and a record 126 for Italy, speaks good English and is thought to be unhappy with the lack of opportunities at the San Siro since his retirement.