Chelsea Transfer News: Ben Gibson, Michael Keane Targeted, Latest Blues Rumours

Chelsea are reportedly eyeing Middlesbrough's Ben Gibson and Burnley's Michael Keane as they look to find a long-term replacement at centre-back for captain John Terry. 

According to Sami Mokbel in the Daily Mail, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is eager to find a new option in the centre of defence as Terry, 35, is nearing the end of his storied career.

Mokbel added that the Blues are "keeping a particular eye on British defensive talent" in order to comply with the Premier League's homegrown players rule.

Chelsea have been short in the centre-back department for some time. After a remarkably frugal season as they won the Premier League in 2014-15, the Blues conceded 53 goals in finishing 10th last term.

Terry and Gary Cahill are currently the first-choice centre-backs, but neither are overly reliable despite having been impressive in the past.

In an attempt to shore up their central defence, Chelsea secured a late deal for former player David Luiz in the summer transfer window. However, given the Brazilian's defensive frailties and the fact he is 29, he is hardly the answer to all the Blues' problems at the back. 

The west London club also look set to allow Branislav Ivanovic to leave in the near future, per Bleacher Report's Dean Jones:

Neither Gibson nor Keane, both 23, are established as top-level stars, but they are both exciting talents "on the cusp of the senior England fold," per Mokbel.

Given how influential Terry has been in Chelsea's huge successes over the last decade it is unsurprising the Blues are looking for a like-for-like replacement.

Both Keane and Gibson have represented England at under-21 level. While neither have a wealth of Premier League experience, both have huge amounts of talent and could surely thrive in the Chelsea setup under Conte.

Gibson is a product of Boro's youth system, while Keane—a Manchester United academy graduate—has played for Burnley since 2014 and was one of the Clarets' best players when they were last in the Premier League, per WhoScored.com:

Chelsea have made a strong start to the 2016-17 campaign after suffering miserably last term, but their defence still looks weak and could cause problems later in the season.

Gibson and Keane would be fine additions to the Blues squad, not least as either could become the long-term partner for Kurt Zouma, 21, in central defence at Stamford Bridge.