Chelsea are reportedly considering Middlesbrough and Burnley centre-backs as long-term John Terry replacement.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is targeting Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson and Burnley’s Michael Keane in a bid to maintain the club’s English influence at central defence, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper report that Chelsea have begun an intensive scouting drive to identify the best young English centre-backs, as club legend John Terry nears the end of his career.
Terry, 35, has been at Stamford Bridge since 1997 and is the embodiment of the Chelsea spirit. He will obviously be incredibly difficult to replace, hence why the club are making early moves to identify the best targets possible.
The Daily Mail claim that due to the Premier League’s homegrown player regulations, Chelsea are keen to make sure that Terry’s long-term replacement is British.
Burnley’s Michael Keane in action
Keane, 23, has been at Turf Moor for two years and has made 68 league appearances for Burnley. He is strong and possesses magnificent aerial ability, and on paper, would be the ideal replacement for the Chelsea captain.
Gibson, who is also 23, has had numerous loan-spells away from the Riverside, but appeared in 33 League games for Middlesbrough last term. He is quick along the ground, and tenacious in style, and would also be a sensible acquisition for the West London outfit.
Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson
Terry’s contract with Chelsea expires at the end of this season, and his chances of receiving an extension to his deal will depend heavily on his displays this season, and how much success his club can achieve.
Chelsea’s John Terry
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