Former Chelsea player and coach Ray Wilkins has talked up the possibility of Mark Hughes becoming the club's next manager.

The Blues will be looking for a permanent successor to Jose Mourinho when Guus Hiddink's interim stay at the club comes to an end this summer, with the likes of Diego Simeone, Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino said to be on the shortlist.

Recent reports have suggested that Roman Abramovich has also been impressed with the work done by Hughes at Stoke City, where he has taken them to new heights in the Premier League and the cusp of a first League Cup final since 1972, and Wilkins believes that the former Chelsea striker could return to Stamford Bridge.

"Mark has been there, he understands the club and he is doing a wonderful job with Stoke. They have changed hand over fist in the way they play," Wilkins told talkSPORT.

"They pass the ball and some of their football the other night was very, very good against Liverpool. I was very impressed with the way they played. So, I wouldn't rule that out."

Hughes himself has admitted that he is flattered by the reports, but insists that he is "very happy" at the Britannia Stadium.