Premier League: Is Pep Guardiola Chelsea bound?

Barcelona's boss had long stated his desire to take a prolonged break from the game, but he is prepared to ditch those plans should a suitable challenge arise. The 41-year-old maintains that he needs time to recharge his batteries but is obviously keen to avoid an insufferable year quashing rumours regarding his future.

One person who will be less than impressed with Guardiola's latest revelation is Di Matteo, whose future at Stamford Bridge hangs in the balance once more. It would hardly come as a surprise if Roman Abramovich opted to part company with the Italian, in favour of bringing Guardiola to Chelsea. The Blues' Russian owner has made no secret of his admiration for Guardiola, who announced: "I will be ready to return if one club wants me and seduces me."

But Di Matteo does at least have popular opinion on his side, with the overwhelming backing of Chelsea's fans. Their loyalty to him, however, would be severely tested should Guardiola make even the slightest suggestion that he would contemplate a move to west London.

And if Chelsea were in utter turmoil some weeks ago, the reigning champions of Europe will be an altogether more attractive proposition for Guardiola. Ironically, Di Matteo may well end up a victim of his own success. The Champions League winning boss is the 17.533/2 fifth favourite to end up at Aston Villa instead.

Liverpool will inevitably be another party alerted by Guardiola's comments, though it must be said that he isn't likely to be impressed with the current state of affairs at Anfield. Guardiola can currently be backed at 25.024/1 to succeed Kenny Dalglish.

But before Abramovich has the chance to try his hand at sweet-talking Guardiola, Barcelona will be concentrating their efforts on winning a 14th trophy of Guardiola's tenure. They take on Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final this evening, and are just 1.3130/100 to secure their first silverware of 2012.