Former Blues hero urges Chelsea to retain veteran star next summer

Florent Malouda thinks it is necessary for Chelsea to keep hold of N’Golo Kante

Speaking to DAZN bet (h/t Football.London), Florent Malouda thinks that it is necessary for Chelsea to keep hold of star midfielder N’Golo Kante.

Kante, who has his contract at Stamford Bridge expiring this summer (Transfermarkt), hasn’t featured for Chelsea since August due to injury. He is back in team training and could play a part in the latter stages of this season though.

The Frenchman has been an important player for the Blues in the last six years. When he plays, the team does better than it has without him.

Here’s what Malouda said about the importance of keeping Kante at the club beyond this summer (h/t Football.London):

“Like with Mount, N’Golo Kante is important to Chelsea for other reasons and that’s what he represents to the club, what he gives to the team and the way the fans love him.

“I think it is necessary to keep him at the club, not only as a player but maybe after his career.

“You can see he’s given his health for the club. When he was injured, you could see Chelsea were not the same. There’s also his personality, it’s important, he’s a role model we need to keep. He’s humble and ambitious, he sets an example for the other players.”

A few weeks ago, Daily Mail reported that Chelsea are confident that the 31-year-old will extend his stay at Stamford Bridge because he is settled in London now. The negotiations have been going on for months.

Malouda compared the importance of Kante to Mason Mount. If we look at the bigger picture, both players are important to the future of this team.

Now, the latter’s contract expires in 2024 (Transfermarkt) and he is yet to sign an extension. If there is no agreement reached, he will be sold in the summer.

Let’s put it this way, Chelsea would be foolish to let either Kante or Mount go in one transfer window. They are important and quality players who will have a lot to offer next season onward.

More Chelsea News:

• Glen Johnson outlines how Chelsea could sign Joao Felix permanently from Atletico Madrid
• Neymar has ‘no intention’ of leaving PSG amidst Chelsea interest
• Manchester City are exploring a move to sign Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell

We have spent a lot of money on shiny new players in the last two transfer windows. It is time for some of that cash to be spent on extending contracts of key assets of the club. Let’s hope that is the case before the start of the summer window.