Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by N'Golo Kante of Chelsea. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Speaking to Safe Betting Sites (h/t Football.London), former Chelsea and France defender Frank Leboeuf has urged star midfielder N’Golo Kante to consider retirement from football.
Kante, who has been one of the best midfielders of the current generation at both club and international levels, has had multiple injury issues in the last year or so.
If we take a look at the numbers, since the start of last season till date, the 31-year-old has missed 47 games and counting due to various injury issues (Transfermarkt). The current hamstring issue is set to increase that number past 50 as he won’t be coming before January.
Talking about his injuries and urging him to take retirement, here’s Leboeuf (h/t Football.London):
“I haven’t spoken to Kante directly about his fitness and how he feels but it could be that he’s nearing the end of it [his career]. Because the thing is we have to understand that we are talking about a human being. Suddenly your body says okay, enough, leave me alone. The end of your career is also a part of your career, and you have to choose the right time to give up. Even if you don’t want to and even if your football is great and you want to carry on.”
Missing almost a season-worth of games in the last 18 months sounds discouraging in terms of Kante’s future in the game. He is 31 now, so his age is also catching up.
The Frenchman, who was a star in his country’s 2018 World Cup win, has his contract at Stamford Bridge in the summer (Transfermarkt). He has been heavily linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona for a free transfer. Whether he has what it takes to represent the Catalan club remains to be seen.
Leboeuf is not completely wrong with the suggestion though, and he is no stranger to leaving elite football early, albeit for different reasons. In 2001, while playing for Chelsea (age of 33), he made his first acting appearance in a film called Taking Sides.
He eventually left the Blues in 2001 for Marseille, stayed there for two years and ended his career in Qatar, although the latter stages of his footballing career were more about becoming an actor.
What Kante needs to think about is whether he can give his best when he is back fit, irrespective of the club he is at. He has been a great servant for Chelsea, helping them win the Premier League and Champions League. He is a certified legend whatever happens from now on.
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