Chelsea to watch Ben Gibson at Arsenal

Chelsea scouts will keep a close eye on defender Ben Gibson during Middlesbrough's league clash against Arsenal on Saturday. The centre-half is one among the top targets for the Blues in the January transfer window.

Blues boss Antonio Conte has urged the club's hierarchy to recruit a couple of central defenders in the New Year with the likes of John Terry, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic set to head through the exit door next summer.

Gibson is the player who has impressed Conte the most, and he will send his talent-spotters to give a feedback on the 23-year-old during Boro's trip to the Emirates this weekend, The Mail reports.

Apart from Gibson, Burnley ace Michael Keane is the other on the Blues' shortlist as they seek to freshen up their options in the heart of the backline.

Conte has utilized the 3-4-3 formation in recent games, and this has sort of brought life to Chelsea's campaign which was stuttering in the opening stages of the season.

Chelsea face a challenging game against Manchester United over the weekend, and nothing less than a win will do if they are to keep up with the league leaders.