Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Ben Gibson and Ricardo Rodriguez

Chelsea will reportedly have scouts in attendance to run the rule over Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson during the newly promoted side’s Premier League match with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The 23-year-old is one of several players Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is said to be considering to help bolster a suspect defence, including Burnley centre-back Michael Keane.

Chelsea feel Arsenal will provide a thorough examination of Gibson’s ability to step up a level, according to Sami Mokbel of MailOnline: “With the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott all likely to be involved at the weekend, Chelsea scouts feel the clash at the Emirates Stadium will provide them with a perfect opportunity to grade Gibson’s progress.”

It’s a reasonable assumption since the Gunners have scored at least three goals in five of their eight league matches, per the club’s official site. The run includes a 3-0 trouncing of Chelsea that’s likely prompted Conte’s renewed vigour to improve his defence.

Gibson is far from the only target the Italian strategist has in mind, per Mokbel: “Conte wants to sign at least one central defender during the January transfer window, with Juventus’ Leonardo Bonucci top of his list. But the club also want to sign a homegrown centre-half, with Gibson and Burnley’s Michael Keane firmly on the Stamford Bridge …

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