N'Golo Kante, Chelsea, Blues, Stamford Bridge, Premier League
Manchester United could look at a potential free move for Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, according to The Daily Express’ Jack Otway.
The Lowdown: Kante’s career
Kante has enjoyed a successful career in England after making the move to Leicester City back in 2015. The Frenchman has made 222 Premier League appearances in total, lifting the trophy with both the Foxes and the Blues.
However, he has endured an extremely frustrating season at Stamford Bridge, playing just two top-flight games in 2022/23. Kante has been out with a hamstring injury since August and will be out of contract at the end of June, should his situation remain unchanged.
The Latest: United claim
Otway shared a story for The Daily Express in the last 48 hours, looking at four soon-to-be free agents that could cover for Casemiro at Old Trafford after he received a second league red card of 2023 against Southampton on Sunday.
He said that Kante, ‘on his day, remains one of the best players in world football’, adding that ‘if Chelsea don’t want him, there’s no denying he’d be a useful free agent for United to target’ following links of a move back in 2019 under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Verdict: A gamble?
Kante has been out for most of the season with a serious injury, so a potential move to Old Trafford could be seen as a gamble by some. However, Kante has helped France win the World Cup and the UEFA Nations League, while also being key for Chelsea in their Champions League triumph back in 2021.
He won the player of the match award in the Champions League final against Manchester City, with Joleon Lescott claiming that Kante is Chelsea’s best-ever midfielder ahead of Claude Makelele. Joe Cole also said that he was ‘shattered just watching’ the Blues star, while Rio Ferdinand called the player ‘unreal’ who can do ‘both sides of the game’ in midfield.
Therefore, a cut-price move to the red side of Manchester could pay off, providing Kante can return to his best following a lengthy injury layoff over the past seven months.
Erik ten Hag will once again have to find short-term solutions at Old Trafford with Casemiro now set for a four-match suspension, but with another busy season on the cards next year including potential Champions League football, signing another high-quality holding midfield in Kante for nothing may well be something that appeals to those at Old Trafford.
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