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. Ancelotti has agreed to work with current Chelsea coach Wilkins, who speaks Italian, but he is also thought to want to bring in a fellow countryman. And with Chelsea still looking to replace defensive coach specialist Steve Clarke, who joined Gianfranco Zola at West Ham earlier this year, Maldini could fit the bill. Source: BBC