Chelsea’s main cog in the engine room N’Golo Kante wants to commit his future to the club by signing a new long-term contract at Stamford Bridge, with the club’s hierarchy unwilling to meet his demands.
What’s the word?
That is according to journalist Simon Phillips, who has informed GIVEMESPORT of his understanding around a contract stand-off between Chelsea and Kante, with the club not willing to meet the 31-year-old’s demands of a long-term deal.
Phillips is also aware that some of Europe’s elite clubs are eyeing up a move for the France international.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Phillips said: “Obviously, with Kante, the injury track record is a real problem. Chelsea want to give him a new contract, but they don’t want to give him a long-term contract.
“His people and his agents are saying that they only really want a long-term contract, so there’s a situation there to be sorted out.
“There’s other clubs interested and making enquiries. PSG is the biggest one and Juventus, as well, are knocking on the door. There are a lot of clubs lining up to take him as a free agent and prepared to give him more of a contract that he wants.”
A damning update
The latest update from Phillips is bound to come as a damning blow to the Chelsea faithful, who will surely acknowledge that £290k-per-week Kante is one of the best ball-winners in the current world footballing landscape.
His average of 4.90 tackles + interceptions per 90 is evidence of this, with his successful pressure total of 34.2% that places him in the 87th percentile, as per FBref, demonstrating his astuteness as a calculated ball-winner.
But, it is worth noting that whilst his defensive stats are still impressive, they have taken a downward turn in comparison to what they were.
Injuries will certainly not have helped, and with Kante now aged 31, Chelsea are reluctant to put finances into an asset they clearly deem risky.
That said, with some of Europe’s elite sniffing around, it’s obvious that if the club cannot strike some kind of deal, Kante will be off in search of pastures new.
