The role N'Golo Kante has played in recent history at Chelsea Football Club makes him nearly impossible to replace. Signed from Leicester City on the back of winning the Premier League, the midfielder has been one of the most consistent performers at Stamford Bridge.
Since joining for a fee of £30million in 2016, Kante has lifted the Premier League in his debut campaign, the Champions League, the Europa League, the Club World Cup and the FA Cup. A constant presence - hassle may be the right word for the Blues' opponents - in midfields gone by but his time in west London is slowly creeping towards its end.
Kante sees his contract at Chelsea expire in the summer and is expected to leave the club when his deal ends, as it stands. Unfortunately for him, his 2022/23 season has been massively hampered by injuries but his services are still likened by the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
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There is also the curious case of Jorginho, who like Kante, is edging closer to leaving the club this summer. Chelsea's ageing midfield is likely to be an area of Graham Potter's squad that Todd Boehly will be keen to add reinforcements too - hence links to Jude Bellingham and Edson Alvarez.
The January transfer window opens in less than two weeks and Chelsea are expected to be busy in the market for the current and future. As rumours continue to circulate linking some of Europe's best midfielders, journalist Simon Phillips has claimed Southampton's Romeo Lavia is more likely to sign than Alvarez.
Many will not be surprised to hear Lavia's name amongst potential incomings. The Belgian followed Chelsea Co-Director of Recruitment and Talent Joe Shields to St Mary's in the summer from Manchester City and could be set to repeat the move to the capital.
Following reports from RMC Sport that the Blues remain interested in the Saints man, Phillips explained to GiveMeSport why Lavia may be the next incoming. “ I think Lavia is probably going to be more likely than Álvarez because Chelsea did push and try and sign him on deadline day with a late offer," he said. "So, he’s the one to watch rather than Álvarez, I would say.”
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