The new ownership at Chelsea made their most contentious decision to date last week when Thomas Tuchel was relieved of his duties as head coach and quickly replaced by Graham Potter.
There will be many other significant calls ahead for the Todd Boehly-led consortium as they settle into Stamford Bridge and one of the more pressing relates to the future of midfielder N’Golo Kante.
Since joining Chelsea from Leicester City in 2016, Kante has continued to achieve extraordinary success — for club and country — and established himself among the world’s best in his position.
However, the 31-year-old France international has entered the final 12 months of his contract and unless there is progress in talks over an extension, Kante will depart as a free agent next summer.
Conversations have been taking place since 2021 and the previous regime were proposing fresh terms spanning three years — plus the option of a fourth — prior to all negotiations halting when the UK government imposed sanctions on Roman Abramovich, which heavily impacted Chelsea.
Following the American-backed takeover, discussions could resume and in August it is understood Chelsea tabled a verbal offer to renew Kante’s deal for two years, with the option of adding a third. The player, though, is presently unwilling to accept this and would be looking for a greater duration.
The same length was granted to 33-year-old Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when he arrived on deadline day, while Kalidou Koulibaly is Kante’s age and earned a four-year agreement in July.
Before exiting, Tuchel suggested Kante’s “injury rate” was a factor in deliberations about whether to award the deal he expects. Despite recording 42 appearances in 2021-22, the Frenchman’s time on the pitch was limited. He has also missed five of a possible seven games in the current season.
The counterpoint is that when Kante does feature — 262 times since moving — he tends to shine; in August’s victory away to Everton and the home draw against Tottenham Hotspur, he was one of the stand-out performers. In Kante’s absence, there have been three defeats and Tuchel was sacked.
Kante could hardly be more popular at Chelsea, which is why they want to prolong his stay. He is very happy representing them and was ready to finish his career there. For that to happen, the situation will need to be resolved and lines of communication between all parties remain open.
The regard in which Kante is held across the sport seems not to have diminished and, if he leaves, a host of leading teams are likely to battle for his services. It is said that two English suitors as well as one in each of Spain, Germany and France would look to pounce should he become available.
Kante catapulted to prominence at Leicester, helping them to a shock top-flight title and earning the Chelsea switch. He lifted the trophy again in 2017 and has since secured the FA Cup, Europa League, Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup and also the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
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