Crewe Alexandra boss Dario Gradi is keen to establish a relationship with Chelsea.

Former Alex coach Steve Holland is now in charge of Chelsea's reserve-team and Gradi hopes to sign their young players on-loan.

"These things are based on personalities and relationships," Gradi told BBC Radio Stoke. "With Steve there's that strong relationship, so if I ever wanted anyone from Chelsea, I'd go to him."

He added: "That would be a good port of call because Chelsea's a terrific club.

"They've got Steve and Ray Wilkins there, and I get on well with [Chelsea sporting director] Frank Arnesen too."

Crewe had strong ties with Liverpool for years during Gradi's first spell in charge of the club, and the 68-year-old built them around similar links to that of Holland, although he fears the association with the Merseysiders has disappeared.

"It was never anything more than being built on personal friendships and respect," said Gradi. "We never had an agreement in writing.

"If ever I wanted to borrow somebody, Liverpool was always the first place I went, and if I ever saw anybody in our league that I thought was good enough for them, I told them.

"Those days have gone now, probably."