Take a seat, Chelsea fans. That is if you haven’t already. According to 90min, the Blues remain happy with midfielder N’Golo Kante, however, at the same time, are prepared to let him leave for the right price.
REPORT: Chelsea Ready to Sell N’Golo Kante
Suitors
As of now, two clubs are barking up Kante’s tree. Real Madrid’s manager Zinedine Zidane has admired Kante for quite some time now and wanted to bring him to the Spanish capital during his first stint as manager of Los Blancos.
With the post-Cristiano Ronaldo rebuild still in progress, Zidane wants to build around Kante as the centrepiece of the Real’s defensive side of the game. And with Father Time knocking on the doors of Casemiro, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric, it’s the perfect time for Kante to step in. The 2018 World Cup winner may be roughly the same age, but he has far fewer miles on his legs, making his Champions League debut in the 2017/18 season.
Madrid, though, face competition for the two time Premier League winner’s signature.
Paris Saint-Germain also have a strong desire to bring him in at the base of the midfield. Whether Thomas Tuchel remains the manager or not beyond this season, the board at Parc De Princes want Kante to come ‘home.’
The Parisian club’s recent investments bolstered the attack with the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and on-loan Mauro Icardi. But little has gone to the defensive side of the game, except for keeper Keylor Navas, in terms of big splashes. Idrissa Gana Gueye also arrived at PSG less than a year ago as a defensive midfielder, meaning he and Kante will battle for the holding role or one will play out of position.
PSG covet the Champions League trophy. Defensive wins championships. Ergo, PSG need the best defensive midfielder in the world to reach their goals.
Chelsea’s Stance
As of now, Chelsea have not spoken publicly about Kante possibly leaving before his deal runs out in 2023. Citing 90min again, the Blues are “ready to part with two-time Premier League winner and former PFA Player of the Year,” but only “if Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain formalise their interest and offer the right price.”
The Blues have managed fairly well without Kante this season, the first in his career missing significant time due to injury. In his absence, midfielders Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic have formed a far better than expected partnership; sometimes they have been playing well enough to make fans forget about Kante.
Also in midfield, although at a different position, Chelsea have seen the emergence of academy graduate Mason Mount. Plus, Christian Pulisic and Ross Barkley have played in midfield adequately, the same spot Kante would play in.
As odd as it sounds about someone so talented, Kante could be surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea cashing in on him sooner rather than later.
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