After another shambolic display in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal – which means the Blues have now conceded 11 goals in four games – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is reportedly planning a defensive clear-out.
That’s the Chelsea transfer news coming from the Daily Mail, who claim that Conte will phase out Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic.
Conte is already said to be on the lookout for replacements, with the same source claiming that Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson and Burnley’s Michael Keane are on his scouting list.
Centre-half Gibson and right-back Keane bossed things in the Championship last season, becoming heroes at their respective clubs, who both achieved promotion to the Premier League.
Stepping up one division to the top flight was a huge step, but a move to Chelsea would be even bigger for the young English defenders, both 23.
Chelsea were linked with a whole host of defenders over the summer, before they finally landed David Luiz and Marcos Alonso late in the transfer window.
According to the Daily Mail, Conte was unable to sign his top targets, who were apparently Juventus rock Leonardo Bonucci and Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly.