Mauricio Pochettino reportedly holds the key in Chelsea’s attempts to extend N’Golo Kante’s contract.
The French international joined the Blues in 2016 after helping Leicester City win the Premier League. 5000/1 they were to win it, if you didn’t know.
After a historic campaign at the King Power, Kante moved to Stamford Bridge to make it two Premier League titles in a row, becoming the first player to do so with different clubs (not counting Mark Schwarzer who made the same move in the same summer). Eric Cantona won the old First Division, and then the first Prem, before you say anything.
During his time in west London, Kante has won the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and of course, a league title.
He has been incredibly consistent for Chelsea, but has greatly struggled with injuries in recent seasons.
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The 32-year-old has missed 34 games this term having suffered a serious hamstring injury last August.
And since the start of 2020-21, Kante has missed 57 matches through injury, as per Transfermarkt.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Chelsea are eager to agree fresh terms, but are obviously reluctant to pay him big money due to his lack of availability over the years.
Having offered Kante a reduced salary, talks between the player and club reportedly broke down earlier this season, opening the door for a summer departure.
The French midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal in recent months.
A report from Spanish outlet TodoFichajes claimed Kante has reached an ‘agreement’ to join the Gunners after Mikel Arteta ‘insisted’ to the club’s board that the ex-Leicester star would offer something different to his midfield.
However, a move to the Emirates appears to be a little less likely with Pochettino set to become Chelsea’s next permanent manager.
According to The Telegraph, the Argentine getting the job ‘could help get Kante’s proposed contract renewal over the line’.
The report states that Chelsea have been trying to agree a new deal with the experienced midfielder for ‘some time’ and had ‘opened negotiations’ before dismissing Potter in April.
The Blues are ‘optimistic’ Kante will extend his contract beyond this summer and have been ‘negotiating the finer details’ in recent weeks.
Pochettino’s arrival can help as the pair ‘share a mutual…
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