Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante could leave this summer on expiration of his contract. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Spanish giants, Real Madrid are set to turn down the opportunity to sign veteran Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante on a free transfer next summer, according to Defensa Central (h/t Football. London).
When fit, Kante is one of the best players in the world. The French 2018 World Cup winner however has not had the best of times recently. Injuries have recently plagued him, and the former Leicester man has spent more time on the treatment table than the pitch.
This season has been a genuine nightmare for the ageing Frenchman. Kante has played a solitary two games for the Blues in the Premier League and has not been seen ever since. The 31-year-old was close to returning once, only to suffer a relapse.
All this meant that Kante who was such an integral part of the team that lifted the World Cup in Russia back in 2018 missed out on France’s title defence in Qatar. In his absence, Aurelian Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot are really lighting it up in the tournament.
Kante has a contract with the Blues until 2023 (Transfermarkt). A year ago, Chelsea might have given the French midfielder a contract without batting an eyelid but things have changed now. His fitness troubles have thrown a question mark over his long-term future at the Bridge.
Amidst all this, reports have come out that the veteran Frenchman has been offered on a free transfer to Spanish behemoths Real Madrid. However, Los Blancos, considering the incredible depth they have in that area have turned down the offer.
A lot of what the future holds for Kante will depend on how he returns from his injury this time around. If the 31-year-old can come back and stay fit and show the kind of levels he showed during the knock-out stages of Chelsea’s Champions League winning run a couple of seasons back, there are not many players in the world better than Kante.
However, at the age that he is currently at, Kante might struggle to return to his explosive best. A key aspect of the former Leicester midfielder’s game is the bursting runs he makes without getting tired at all and we need to keep a lookout for how he returns to the game.
If this is the end of Kante’s road as a Chelsea player, it’s been a pleasure to see him don the Blues shirt. However, we could still be in for a surprise if the Frenchman manages to impress between now and the end of the season and that will not be a bad result at all.
Jadon Sancho has hit the ground running in his season-long loan at Chelsea, with the Blues eyeing a permanent deal…
Chelsea appear to be rediscovering their form under Enzo Maresca, aiming for a top-four finish as they currently sit third…
In their bid to further bolster their defense, Chelsea are aiming to make a big move for the star right-back…
Christopher Nkunku is keen to leave Chelsea in January over lack of game time in the Premier League There has…
Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres is on the radar of Chelsea Chelsea are riding high in the Premier League, sitting…
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca eyeing defensive reinforcements in January Chelsea could well find themselves in the market to improve their…