Your Chelsea morning digest on Monday, December 12.
Real Madrid snub Kante transfer
According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Real Madrid have been offered the chance to sign N'Golo Kante but have turned down the chance to do so. The 31-year-old midfielder will be free to begin pre-contract talks with clubs outside of the Premier League in January in order to secure a move upon the end of his Blues deal in June.
The west Londoners can extend his stay at Chelsea at any time, subject to the France international agreeing. Should the Blues look to sanction Kante's exit, the club could either recuperate a small fee in January and relinquish his services for the remainder of the campaign or let him leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Paris Saint-Germain are one of the several clubs that have been heavily linked with a move for Kante in recent months. In March, it was revealed that the £13million-rated midfielder ignored the French giants' advances when they tried to sign him in January.
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Tchouameni mistake
Having not felt that Aurelien Tchouameni was ready for first team action last year, Chelsea decided against pursuing a move for the France midfielder.
The 22-year-old star was impressing for Monaco at the time but the Blues decided to sign Saul Niguez on loan instead. Tchouameni then moved to Real Madrid for £80million this summer and popped up decisively in England's World Cup match against France.
His long-range strike opened the scoring in Qatar and sent a warning message to the Blues having not put the trust in the youngster and being made to pay for it with their own midfield woes.
Broja injury update
Graham Potter has provided an update on Armando Broja after the Chelsea striker picked up an injury in a friendly against Aston Villa. The 20-year-old screamed in pain following a collision with Ezri Konsa and he was subsequently stretchered off the field of play.
The Albania international, who looked to be in great pain, was seen to be clutching his leg as he was tended to by medical staff. Broja has no history of knee injuries and, as the Blues prepare for the Premier League's return, the youngster's injury comes as a major blow.
In Broja's absence, Chelsea went on to lose 1-0 to Unai Emery's side in Abu Dhabi. The striker joins a growing list of injured players unavailable to Graham Potter, including N'Golo Kante, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell.
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