EX-CHERRIES player and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp reckons Chelsea should target Eddie Howe as their next manager.

Current Blues boss Antonio Conte has come under increasing pressure due to their disappointing Premier League title defence.

Howe plotted Chelsea’s downfall when Cherries won 3-0 at Stamford Bridge seven days ago before they suffered a 4-1 defeat at Watford on Monday.

A number of big names, including former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, have been linked but Redknapp, who made 13 appearances for Cherries as a teenager, thinks Roman Abramovich should look to Howe.

In his column for the Daily Mail, Redknapp wrote: “It looks like Antonio Conte is clinging to the Chelsea job by his fingertips. If the club make a change this summer, why not go for Eddie?

“The time will come when Howe feels he has outgrown Bournemouth and he is more than capable of becoming Chelsea's first permanent British manager since Glenn Hoddle in 1996.”

Howe has continued to field questions on his future by insisting he is happy to stay at Vitality Stadium while Maxim Demin remains as owner.

Redknapp also said Howe would be a good fit to succeed Arsene Wenger at Arsenal: “Eddie likes to have consistency and continuity.

“For that reason, maybe the Arsenal job would be a better fit once Arsene Wenger decides to leave, but it would be difficult for him to turn down Chelsea should the opportunity arise.

“For any owner, Eddie Howe ticks every box.”

Commenting on Cherries’ display in their 2-1 win over Stoke on Saturday, Redknapp added: “When Bournemouth fell behind to Stoke, it seemed inevitable that they would battle back.

“Eddie Howe has instilled a real belief and will to win in his side.

“After a rocky start to the season, they are now seven Premier League games unbeaten and seven points above the relegation zone.

“Another top-half finish is not out of the question and it would only highlight what a remarkable job he has done at this club.

“For me, Eddie is ready to manage a top-six side.”

While Conte lamented a "very poor" Chelsea performance as they were humbled by Watford, the Italian insisted he still had no concerns over his future.

The defeat left Conte, who, heading into the game, had called on the Chelsea hierarchy to offer him a public show of support, in a more difficult position with the reigning champions now only one point clear of fifth-placed Tottenham.

Speaking in the aftermath of the defeat, Conte remained defiant: "I hope that, tonight, for once, you understand me. I'm not worried. I'm not worried about my job.

"I have great disappointment, for sure. Our performance was very poor tonight.

"We started very badly and without personality. We played with fear. I think so. We are not used to playing this type of football."

He went on to say he would not lose any sleep over the ongoing and intense speculation regarding his future at the club.

"It's very difficult because, every day and every press conference, you ask me if I'm worried. No. I'm not worried. Tomorrow is another day. I can be the Chelsea coach or not.

"I go to sleep without a problem that maybe, maybe, I could do this or that. I try to do everything. If it's not good, the club can make a different decision. Life goes on.

"We can lose, but always we have to try to play football and to try to be positive. It's right, everyone must take responsibility: me, the players."