Kante rejects Chelsea contract offer: Here’s why
Robin Bairner
- 12 Sept 2022 10:36 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea face a battle to have N’Golo Kante sign a new contract, with the France international star’s deal up at the end of the season.
Kante will become a free agent in June 2023 should he not agreed fresh terms with the Stamford Bridge outfit – a scenario that is looking increasingly likely at present.
Chelsea’s new owners have shown a willingness to make big decisions in the wake of sacking Thomas Tuchel following a 1-0 loss against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, and they are now set for another as discussions with the World Cup winner are ongoing.
Kante has long been considered one of the game’s foremost defensive midfielders because of his tireless running and incredible ball-winning capacity. This reputation was established at Leicester before cementing being at Chelsea.
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Why Kante has not signed new Chelsea contract
The Athletic reports that Kante is reticent to sign a new deal with the Blues – but the concerns are not over money.
The 31-year-old has been offered a two-year deal with the option of another, but Kante instead wants an extra 12 months on the contract. This was previously discussed when Roman Abramovich owned the club.
Furthermore, these are the terms that have been granted to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kalidou Koulibaly, who are both new signings at the club.
Chelsea’s new regime, though, are concerned over Kante’s injury record. This is something doubtless magnified by the fact that he has managed only a couple of Premier League appearances this season before succumbing to a muscular issue. Kante’s absence has coincided with a downturn in results and performances.
Meanwhile, it is reported that there are five clubs who are waiting to sign Kante should he leave Old Trafford in the summer, including two from the Premier League. Furthermore, there is also interest from La Liga, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1.
Kante has played a total of 262 times for Chelsea since arriving from Leicester in 2016.
