CONTE EYES NEXT TERRY
Chelsea tracking Keane and Gibson
CHELSEA boss Antonio Conte has identified Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson and Burnley’s Michael Keane as targets as he bids to maintain the English influence at the heart of his defence.
The Stamford Bridge club have begun a scouting drive to unearth the best homegrown central defensive talent with Conte planning for when John Terry, 35, retires.
The Premier League’s homegrown player regulations have led Chelsea scouts to keep a particular eye on British talent. Gibson and Keane — both of whom are 23 and on the cusp of the senior England fold — have earned glowing reviews.
Having been frustrated in their attempts to land their primary targets in the summer, Chelsea completed a shock £32million swoop for David Luiz on deadline day. But at 29, Luiz is unlikely to be the long-term solution Conte is searching for.
Meanwhile, Chelsea want goalkeeper coach Christophe Lollichon to delay a decision on his long-term future, despite being marginalised by Conte. The Frenchman is well respected by the Chelsea board after nine years at the club and they want to find a role for him.
Lollichon has been relieved of firstteam duties, with Conte using trusted aide Gianluca Spinelli. That decision was taken partly because of Lollichon’s fractious relationship with first-choice keeper Thibaut Courtois.
The Belgium No 1 was made available for transfer in the summer but Chelsea could not find a buyer willing to pay £65m. Courtois’s future may be in question again next summer so the club’s hierarchy are keen for Lollichon to remain in case the goalkeeping set-up changes.
Loic remy has returned to Chelsea for treatment on an ankle injury which Crystal Palace say would keep him out for several weeks.
The 29-year- old France forward joined Palace on loan for the season but was injured in training before playing for the club.
Palace manager Alan Pardew said: ‘It is a blow for the player and for us. We were hoping he would play a big part in the team.’
Palace completed the signing yesterday of former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini, 32.