Middlesbrough must finalise transfer swoop for Chelsea player - it will be an early present for Rob Edwards | OneFootball

Chelsea's Alfie Gilchrist is available for a transfer this summer, and he would be a smart addition for Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough are gearing up for a huge summer after owner Steve Gibson made the decision to sack Michael Carrick.

That call was understandable, as Boro have a very talented squad, and the failure to reach the play-offs in the past two years has been disappointing.

Rob Edwards is in line to succeed Carrick at the Riverside Stadium, and attention will quickly turn to backing the new boss with the players he needs to succeed.

Middlesbrough need defensive reinforcements ahead of the new season

Whilst there is quality within the Boro group, there are also areas that can clearly be improved.

For many, the right-side of defence is a major issue, particularly with Anfernee Dijksteel having been released.

Luke Ayling has suffered bad luck on the injury front in the past 12 months, and there will be a concern that the 33-year-old is no longer the player he was at this level.

Alfie Gilchrist should be on Middlesbrough’s radar

So, Boro are going to be in the market for a right-sided defender, and Chelsea’s Alfie Gilchrist could be exactly what they need.

It has been reported that the 21-year-old will be allowed to leave the Blues this summer on a permanent basis, and, given his age and potential, he fits the profile of the type of signing Boro have made successfully in recent years.

Crucially, though, he will be able to help Edwards and the team in the here and now as they target promotion to the Premier League.

Firstly, Gilchrist has experience at this level, having spent last season on loan at Sheffield United.

Whilst the second half of the season was tough for the player, as an ankle injury and the arrivals of Harry Clarke and Hamza Choudhury restricted his game time, he still made 30 appearances, so he will have benefited from that experience.

More importantly, he is ideally suited to what Edwards wants.

Generally, the incoming boss has adopted a back three formation in his managerial career, and Gilchrist would be an option as the right wing-back or as the right centre-back.

The England youth international would need to improve on the ball if he was to nail down the wing-back spot, but he is a young player, and Edwards’ coaching could help him become more effective in the final third.

Of course, there are aspects of his defensive game that he also needs to work on, but Gilchrist would bring an energy and enthusiasm that Edwards will demand.

At their best, his Luton side played on the front foot, with a real intensity that made them a difficult force to stop. That requires total buy-in from the squad, and Gilchrist again fits the mould in that he is a youngster looking to make his way in the game.

His willingness to fight for the ball and to get stuck in would also endear him to the Boro faithful, and it’s worth noting Gilchrist captained Chelsea at youth level, so he has leadership qualities.

Ultimately, Edwards will inherit a Boro team that doesn't require major surgery this summer. Instead, it’s about making a few tweaks that could make them serious contenders next season - and Gilchrist would be the perfect start.