Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is seeking defensive reinforcements at Stamford Bridge, and could turn to Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson and Burnley’s Michael Keane to solve the issue, according to the Daily Mail.
The Blues have conceded seven goals in their last three league matches and have only kept one clean sheet in the league so far this season.
Conte’s defensive concerns came to a head on Saturday as his side were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, with Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic particularly poor at the back for the visitors.
Unsurprisingly, the Italian is on the lookout for defensive options, and has reportedly sent scouts to watch both Gibson and Keane at their respective teams.
23-year-old Gibson has been an ever-present in Aitor Karanka’s Boro side so far this season, and netted for the hosts in their defeat against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
The central defender is highly-rated at the Riverside Stadium, but it may take a sizeable amount of money to force Middlesbrough to part with the England Under-21 international.
Burnley’s Keane is another player Chelsea are keeping tabs on after a number of good performances for Sean Dyche’s side.
The 23-year-old has played in five of their six Premier League games, including their 3-0 defeat at Chelsea a month ago, and missed just one game in the Clarets’ promotion season last time out.
Both players are hugely capable at centre-half, but whether they’d be able to fit straight into the heart of the Chelsea defence remains to be seen.
