Pressure is growing on Blues boss Maurizio Sarri after their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City amidst claims that the Stamford City hierarchy have already considered replacements.
Zinedine Zidane and Frank Lampard have been strongly linked, but Parkhead legend and Express columnist Nicholas is convinced former Chelsea youth coach Rodgers will come into the equation.
He said: “When you do well you are sought after and Brendan must be high on Chelsea’s list. I think there is a strong case for him and he could do better than Leicester.
“Chelsea had to win the cup and didn’t. Sarri is the walking dead and he will be out.
“Chelsea don’t hang about, they normally go and get something sorted quickly.
“Brendan has history with Chelsea. He has been there and his football philosophy is what Chelsea has been seeking.
“Sarri has not delivered and I am amazed Brendan hasn’t even been linked with the job. It would provide the right footballing pedigree and style that the Chelsea fans want.”
Leicester would have to pay £6million and wait until the end of the season for Rodgers.
The Northern Irishman, who has won seven trophies in a row at Parkhead, remains the bookies’ favourite for the manager’s job at Leicester after they sacked Claude Puel at the weekend.
Rodgers has been a long-term target for the 2016 Premier League champions and is believed to be on a two-man shortlist with Newcastle’s Rafa Benitez.
If a deal is agreed for Rodgers, it’s understood he would be reluctant to leave Celtic in the middle of a season.
The 46-year-old is keen to lead the club to their eighth title in a row and is homing in on a third consecutive treble, with the Betfred Cup already clinched.
There is no release clause in Rodgers’ contract, which means Leicester would need to pay up the remaining two years of his deal, which runs at around £3m per season.
Celtic are unlikely to stand in Rodgers’ way if their demands are met and he expresses a desire to return to England.
The manager was frustrated with Celtic’s transfer activity in the summer window, but he was backed in January and that has helped his team race clear at the top of the Premiership.
Champions League winner Benitez will be out of contract at Newcastle this summer and would not cost anything in compensation.
Belgium national team coach Roberto Martinez, former Huddersfield boss David Wagner and Burnley manager Sean Dyche have also been linked with the Leicester job.
The Foxes could make a short-term appointment until the summer if they were to wait on Rodgers or Benitez.
Coach Mike Stowell has been put in temporary charge for tonight’s clash with Brighton.