The latest word stemming from Spain over the last 24 hours suggests that Premier League giants Chelsea are prepared to part with star midfielder N’Golo Kante this summer.
Chelsea’s 2019/20
Frank Lampard’s debut campaign on the Chelsea bench has proven something of a mixed bag.
The Blues have displayed excellence in patches, showcasing the kind of free-flowing football which Lampard is evidently hopeful of moving forward with over the seasons to come.
In addition, a host of talented youngsters have been handed the opportunity to impress at Stamford Bridge, with the likes of Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham having played integral roles throughout the campaign.
As was largely expected, though, Chelsea’s new boss has also overseen his fair share of sub-par performances, with the Londoners’ inability to keep clean sheets of particular concern.
A 3-0 Champions League drubbing at the hands of Bayern Munich back in February laid bare a host of flaws in both Lampard’s setup, and the personnel at the disposal of the former English international.
25 February 2020, Great Britain, London: Football: Champions League, FC Chelsea – FC Bayern Munich, knockout rounds, last sixteen, first leg at Stamford Bridge stadium. Robert Lewandowski of Munich shoots at the goal of Willy Caballero of Chelsea. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa (Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images)
The former of these issues will no doubt be amended over time, as the inexperienced Chelsea boss becomes more accustomed to life in the dugout.
The latter, though, will need addressing on the transfer front.
After being unable to secure reinforcements to his squad during his first summer on the bench at Stamford Bridge due to a transfer ban, Frank Lampard somewhat surprisingly opted against any new signings this past January.
Kante to move on?
Excitement amongst the Chelsea faithful, though, has begun to ramp up over recent weeks, amid widespread claims that Roman Abramovich is ready to make up for lost time with a big-money spending spree this summer.
The Blues have of course already secured the services of gifted Ajax creator Hakim Ziyech ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.
Despite long-standing links with Premier League rivals Liverpool, meanwhile, RB Leipzig hitman Timo Werner is also thought to be on the verge of a move to Stamford Bridge.
And, if the additions of Ziyech and Werner weren’t already enough to appease those Chelsea fans crying out for a squad makeover, German wonderkid Kai Havertz is now also reported to have been added to the capital giants’ list of summer targets.
Chelsea have ‘serious’ interest in signing Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz, according to @cfbayern pic.twitter.com/k0J49iPVsc
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 9, 2020
All 3 of the aforementioned stars, among others, potentially linking up with Frank Lampard’s squad this summer, though, would obviously not come cheap.
Despite the riches at the disposal of billionaire owner Abramovich, the Blues will also likely require major outgoings, to balance out a possible outlay of well over £150 million.
And, if the latest speculation emerging from the Spanish media is to be believed, then one key player who’s sale is being taken into serious consideration is N’Golo Kante.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – AUGUST 14: Andrew Robertson of Liverpool and Ngolo Kante of Chelsea during the UEFA Super Cup Final fixture between Liverpool and Chelsea at Vodafone Park on August 14, 2019 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
According to AS, the Pensioners’ board have opened the door to the French midfielder’s departure over the coming months, as the club continue to build towards a new era.
This has, in turn, piqued the interest of Real Madrid, as Zinedine Zidane eyes up big-name reinforcements to Los Blancos’ ranks in the middle of the park.
Juventus and PSG, meanwhile, are also thought to be keeping a close eye on the situation.
A price-tag of €80 million is floated by AS, though it remains to be seen whether any interested party would be willing to splash out such a hefty sum on a 29-year-old who has largely struggled for fitness this season, considering the current financial climate.
Tottenham are interested in signing Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma as Juan Foyth is set to join Leeds United
Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand in line to replace Chelsea target Ben Chilwell at Leicester
