One of Mauricio Pochettino’s early transfers appears to be an outgoing one, according to a report from Football.London, as N’Golo Kante is rumoured to have agreed to join Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad. Kante’s contract at Stamford Bridge initially appeared to be going to be extended under Pochettino’s leadership.
However, neither side was able to come to an agreement, which allowed the Saudi Arabian champions to make an exceptional proposal. The midfielder has now agreed to a two-year contract worth an astounding €100 million (£86 million), with an option for an extra season.
Injury-Racked Kante’s Chelsea Season
After being injured for the majority of the season, Kante has had a difficult season at the West London club, finding it difficult to be a reliable player for them in the centre of the field. In nine games for Chelsea this season across multiple competitions, the 32-year-old failed to produce, with only one assist.
In the 90 minutes of Premier League play, the French superstar averaged 2.3 tackles, 0.9 interceptions, 0.3 clearances, 1.1 shoots, 1.9 vital passes, and 1.7 dribbles. He has even been efficient with the ball distribution, completing 82.5% of his passes in the top-flight of football, according to statistics from whoscored.
What Will Chelsea Do To Fill The Gap?
The departure of N’Golo Kante was a major disappointment for Chelsea this summer because it looked that strengthening the midfield was one of their top priorities. The fact that Kante was injured for a significant portion of the 2022–23 season should be taken into account, though, as this lessens the disappointment of his departure.
Since Kante passed his physical with Al Ittihad earlier this afternoon in London, the Blues will likely have to play the upcoming season without their key midfield maestro. This scenario emphasises how important it is for the team to identify suitable replacements for Kante in order to fill the gap left by his absence.
Kante keeps showcasing his skill as a dependable ball defender, quickly spotting possible threats and regaining control of the ball for his team in the middle of the pitch. He takes on opponents without fear and has the vision to make decisive passes in the attacking areas. Furthermore, Kante displays his proficiency with shooting by firing powerful and precise shots from a distance. He also demonstrates his dribbling skills, making him a versatile player when he has the ball in his possession.
Even while the current club under Enzo Fernandez contains quality midfielders who can step up and help fill the vacuum left by Kante, the Argentine isn’t a defensive option. To close the gap between offence and defence, the Blues will need to find a better substitute for Kante.