Atletico Madrid have been keeping an eye on N’Golo Kante as he is yet to sign a contract extension at Chelsea. The Frenchman is out of contract in the summer and is now in a position where he can reach a pre-contract agreement with non-English clubs.
The news emerges from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (h/t Football.London) that the Spanish giants have set their sights on signing Kante next summer. The prospect of losing such a player for free is a jarring prospect for the Blues.
Despite the fact that contract renewal negotiations have taken place, his long-term future with the club is uncertain because of his injuries. Kante’s role at the club has been minimal over the last few years but he remains a key cog when available.
The 31-year-old’s repeated injuries have limited him to only two Premier League outings this season, and Chelsea no longer appears to rely on the midfielder on a weekly basis. With Jorginho gone, the Frenchman is now our most experienced body in the middle of the park.
Argentine World Cup winner, Enzo Fernandez was acquired on the January transfer deadline day for a British transfer record sum. The youngster enjoyed a solid debut against Fulham but could do with an experienced head around him as he grows into the role at Stamford Bridge.
Kante need not be a regular in the months to come but it is in Chelsea’s best interests to keep hold of the player. He could be a calming influence in a crucial area of the squad as we transition into Todd Boehly’s rebuild.
We cannot trade the French player for anything since Kante was a sensation during the Blues’ voyage to Champions League victory in 2020–21. Todd Boehly will need to make a decision about his future.
Giving him a two-year contract renewal seems sufficient, as we won’t have the option of selling him for free. He has undoubtedly become a household figure at the club, and losing him for free will be unfortunate.
A move to Spain will give Kante the opportunity to reignite his career. La Liga is less demanding than the Premier League physically and could offer Kante some respite on that front. He still has much to offer and it remains to be seen how Chelsea decide to act on the matter.
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