After spending £300+ million in the winter transfer market, Chelsea have now shifted their attention on renewing the deals of some of their current players. Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is in the final five months of his contract and could depart as a free agent should a new deal not be agreed in time.
Kante arrived at Chelsea after being a cornerstone in Leicester’s 2016 Premier League triumph. The Frenchman was equally important in Antonio Conte’s side that lifted the title in 2017, living up to his ‘one of the best in the world in defensive midfield’ billing. Since then, the midfielder has always been quintessential to the Chelsea side although his role changed when Jorginho arrived at the club and Maurizio Sarri deployed him a little bit up the pitch as Jorginho took the No.6 role.
Kante has endured a difficult 2022-23 season as the hamstring injury has troubled him and kept him out since August of last year. The 31 year old has missed the FIFA World Cup for France and missed 31 games for the Blues. In the last couple of seasons, Kante has been injury prone and has missed parts of the season because of niggles and minor injuries.
The hamstring problem that has kept him out for almost the entirety of this season finally seems to be healing as Kante is on the road to recovery. While he remains sidelined, talks of renewal have been picking up pace.
N’Golo Kante reluctant to accept current Chelsea offer
The Frenchman could walk out as a free agent at the end of the season, however, both Chelsea and Kante are willing to work on renewing the deal. At this point, chances of Kante staying at Stamford Bridge are 50-50 as a breakthrough in extension talks hasn’t been made.
Details have emerged over CFC’s offer to Kante and at the same time what the midfielder is expecting from the new deal. According to the Evening Standard, Kante is reluctant to accept the current offer on the table. Chelsea are offering him a two year extension with an option for one more year.
However, the 2018 World Cup winner is hoping to sign a three year deal with the option of a further year. Negotiations will continue in the coming weeks but at this point, nothing is set in stone. Chelsea are prioritizing contract talks of players whose deals are expiring this summer and Kante is one of them. Along with Kante, contract negotiations for Mason Mount and Thiago Silva are also ongoing.
Will N’Golo Kante extend with Chelsea?