N'Golo Kante is yet to return after picking up a hamstring injury against Watford (Getty Images)
According to 90min (h/t Daily Star), Chelsea are prepared to offload star midfielder N’Golo Kante ahead of next season.
However, the Blues have a condition. They will sell the two-time Premier League and World Cup (2018) winner only if they receive a suitable offer. Kante, meanwhile, has been a long-term target for elite clubs such as Real Madrid and Europe.
An injury-ravaged season at Stamford Bridge has forced the Blues hierarchy to come up with such a decision despite the defensive midfielder still having three years left on his current contract.
Consistent injuries had seen manager Frank Lampard’s best player being restricted to just 22 appearances across all competitions this year. A tireless and hardworking midfield dynamo, Kante has helped Chelsea win the Premier League (2016-2017), an FA Cup (2018) and the Europa League (2018-19).
Kante was a part of Leicester City side that had a fairy-tale finish to their Premier League dreams by winning the title in 2016 under Italian boss Claudio Ranieri. A famed member of the Foxes line-up, The £150,000-a-week star’s standout performances in the middle of the pitch soon earned him a move to Stamford Bridge the following summer.
Ever since his switch from Leicester to Chelsea, Kante has been a vital member of the Blues line-up, featuring in almost all their games except this season. A consistent performer, it was no big wonder that the Frenchman became a regular presence in the Blues side.
There is no denying the fact that Kante’s arrival was a major influence on the Antonio Conte-led Chelsea side as he helped them win the Premier League in his maiden season after a tenth-place finish last season.
Also, the Blues have never fallen below the top-five since the Frenchman arrived at Stamford Bridge, which speaks volumes about his potential. Hence, it’s not a big surprise that he attracted the interests of Madrid and PSG.
However, with the midfield dynamo diminishing to the sidelines due to injuries this season, Chelsea have opened up on the idea of selling him in a bid to strengthen their defensive midfield options.
That said, it does not seem like the wisest of choices by the Lampard-led side as one poor season alone is not enough to judge his capabilities. The number of trophies that he has won for the Blues since his arrival is a testament to that.
Moreover, Chelsea just have one more player in Jorginho to play in the deep-lying midfield role. However, the Italian has been inconsistent at times and has not yet lived up to the levels that Kante has displayed in the past.
Hence, it would be better if Chelsea once again reconsider their stance of Letting go of a star player such as Kante.
Considering the trophies that he has won for Chelsea in recent times, Kante is arguably their best player in the side. Also, he has been a consistent performer and a regular starter in all their games apart from this one season.
Hence, to judge his talent based upon just one poor-season seems foolish. The Blues would be committing a huge blunder by letting go of their star player.
