Should Real Madrid sign Kante as Modric replacement?

James Shearman

• 3 Apr 2022 20:55 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid have been linked with Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante as a potential replacement for Luka Modric.

Modric, 36 years of age, is still an excellent player but will start to regress sooner rather than later.

As a result, Los Blancos are starting to eye up players that could replicate the world class performances that the Croat has put in over the years. And Kante is one of few midfielders on the same level.

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The Frenchman rose to fame as part of Leicester City's Premier League title-winning side, playing the defensive midfield position to near perfection.

Since, he has starred for Chelsea in a box-to-box role, covering every blade of grass out of possession while also improving on his technical ability with the ball at his feet.

The 31-year-old is also a big-game player, earning man of the match awards in both semi-finals and the final of The Blues' Champions League success last season.

For these reasons, one would think that he'd make for the perfect Modric replacement, but there is one significant issue.

Should Real Madrid sign Kante as Modric replacement?

While N'Golo Kante would be a world-class addition to an already competitive Real squad, there are far better options out there.

Unfortunately, he has really struggled with injuries over the past few seasons and, as he enters the latter stage of his career, that is something that will only get worse.

Chelsea are able to cope in his absence, as would Madrid, but that isn't what you want from a signing that could cost up to £50 million.

Add to that, until now, Kante has returned from said injuries as the same player, another thing that could soon change.

Such a number of physical problems will eventually slow the former Leicester man down, taking away from his best attribute - stamina.

At this moment, Kante is a nuisance to play against, with the speed and energy to press the opposition for 90 minutes and beyond.

But, unlike a deep-lying playmaker in the mold of Jorginho or Sergio Busquets, once the Frenchman's legs go, he will be far less impactful than he is now.

So Madrid are better off looking for the next Kante, rather than the man himself, at this point in his legendary career.