Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante could be on the move next summer, after missing out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with France. The 31-year-old has been troubled by a string of injuries since the start of the last season, which has evidently cost him his consistency. This season as well, Kante has managed only 2 appearances for Chelsea, and is still out with a hamstring injury which he suffered against Tottenham in mid-August.
As a result, the Blues have not yet opened contract extension talks with their 2016 Leicester City recruit, with only seven months left on his current deal. Chelsea have appointed Graham Potter as their new man in charge after firing Thomas Tuchel, and the former Brighton manager is all set to develop a long-term project at the Stamford Bridge. This could end N’Golo Kante’s spell at the club with Potter looking for a new option in that position.
PSG eyeing European pedigree in N’Golo Kante
PSG are reportedly standing at the doors of N’Golo Kante to sign him next summer as a free agent, when his contract at the Bridge expires. Transfer expert Christian Falk has confirmed the reigning French champions’ interest in the Frenchman as they are eyeing new recruitments in almost every department of their squad. And for midfield, Kante sits atop of their wish-list, with his languishing contract situation looked at as an advantage by the Parisians.
While PSG already possess the likes of Marco Verratti, Vitinha, and Fabian Ruiz in their midfield, they further want to add some European pedigree to the ranks in order to boost their chances of lifting a Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. The Parisians feel Kante perfectly ticks all their boxes, having won a Champions League with delivering a man-of-the-match performance in the final, and a UEFA Super Cup with the Blues.
Moreover, Kante’s style of play has the caught of PSG’s Qatari owners who have attempted to lure the 31-year-old earlier as well. A box-to-box, robust midfielder, Kante can single-handedly dictate the flow of the game and can easily bail out his defender from a tough situation, and create a chance for his striker at the other end in the same breath. Moreover, after plying his trade in the physically demanding Premier League for almost seven years now, he could be the powerful presence PSG need in the middle of the park.
There’s no shortage of technical sound players for the Paris club in the midfield, but they have been missing the one who can do the dirty work for the team. N’Golo Kante is just the player they know they need to dominate the Champions League, and also win one. However, the two time Premier League winner’s age and injury issues could be a worrying thing for the Les Parisians.
PSG already have their best midfielder Marco Verratti in his 30s, and adding another 31-year-old could be a risk when the team needs some young and fresh legs. Though it would be difficult to turn down an opportunity to sign the 2018 World Cup winner for free, his Kante’s injury woes are more of a worrying sign than his age. He has missed a staggering 36 games since the last season, with 20 of those coming this season.
Nonetheless, PSG face competition from their old foes Barcelona for the free acquisition of N’Golo Kante, reports Sport Mediaset. The Catalans want a replacement for their captain and midfielder Sergio Busquets who could leave next summer, and Kante being possible available on the market for free has further enticed them. With the midfielder set to miss the upcoming World Cup, he will be free to hold talks with potential suitors in January if the Blues opt against extending him.