BEN GIBSON is relishing his Chelsea challenge tomorrow — but refuses to view it as an audition.
The Middlesbrough centre-half, 23, is being watched by the Blues, who are keen to sign a homegrown defender.
But Gibson’s focus is on impressing his own boss Aitor Karanka, not Antonio Conte, when Diego Costa and Co visit the Riverside.
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The Boro star said: “It’s obviously flattering but I just concentrate on myself and staying in this team.
“I let other people mention me. My next step is trying to play a full season in this division and trying to stay in the Premier League. I’m not looking at anything other than that. I’m inexperienced at this level.
“This weekend I’m playing against Costa and you know what you’re going to get from him, he’s going to want to wrestle and fight you. It’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to.”
As a left-sided centre-back Gibson has been touted as a new John Terry — for Chelsea and England.
But Three Lions interim boss Gareth Southgate, the ex-Boro captain and boss, has so far resisted selecting his former Under-21 starlet.
Gibson said: “Of course it’s a dream — everyone wants to play for England.
“You grow up thinking you’re at Wembley, doing Gazza’s goal where you flick it over somebody’s head! But I’m certainly not focusing on that.”
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Gibson, whose uncle is chairman Steve, is part of a back four that has let in just one goal in their last three games — draws at Arsenal and Manchester City and a win over Bournemouth.
He added: “It’s publicised with Middlesbrough that people might not have a lot.
“So it’s important we make them happy with what they’re paying for — to give them results. It actually does mean everything.”
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