Contract News: Veteran Chelsea star close to penning Stamford Bridge extension

N’Golo Kante is close to signing a new contract with Chelsea

According to Foot Mercato (h/t Daily Mail), Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is close to signing a new contract with the club that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2026.

The Frenchman’s current deal in west London expires at the end of this season (Transfermarkt). So, he either signs a new contract in the coming months or leaves the club for free in the summer.

The latest is that Chelsea have tabled an offer for a contract lasting until the summer of 2026. It is up to the 2018 World Cup winner whether he signs or leaves.

In the last few weeks, we have seen Kante being linked with foreign clubs such as Spanish giants Barcelona and Saudi Arabia club Al-Nassr, who recently signed Cristiano Ronaldo for free.

The 31-year-old has been one of the best midfielders Chelsea have had in the last decade or so. It is a shame that injuries have caught up with him in the last year or so.

He is yet to feature for us since the second game week of this season. But, with what he can produce when fit, there aren’t many who could do that.

So, maybe Chelsea are banking on him to get fit in the second half of this season and remain that way in the coming seasons. Kante played a key role in the Blues winning the Premier League in 2017 and the Champions League in 2021. So, he has the pedigree and experience of delivering in the biggest stages for the club.

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Hence, while his recent availability record is not great, a little more trust in him to come back and deliver the goods is good thinking by the club. We now hope that the Frenchman signs that new contract soon.