New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has already shown that he has no problem making hard and potentially divisive decisions. He’s sacked Thomas Tuchel after a poor start to the season and is now willing to risk losing star midfielder N’Golo Kante on a free transfer.Since joining Chelsea from Leicester City in 2016, Kante has continued to achieve extraordinary success — for club and country — and established himself among the world’s best in his position. However, the 31-year-old France international has entered the final 12 months of his contract, and unless there is progress in talks over an extension, Kante will depart as a free agent next July.##NAJAVA_MECA_6633274##Conversations have been taking place since 2021, and the previous regime were proposing fresh terms spanning three years — plus the option of a fourth — before all negotiations halting when the UK government imposed sanctions on Roman Abramovich, which heavily impacted Chelsea.Following the American-backed takeover, discussions could resume and in August, it is understood Chelsea made a verbal offer to extend Kante’s deal for two years, with the option of adding a third. The player is unwilling to accept this and would be looking for a longer deal.🚨 Chelsea’s ownership made a 2+1 year contract offer to Kante but he’s not accepting as he wants longer, injuries are being factored in. (@David_Ornstein) pic.twitter.com/jP5Ym9DeCB— Pys (@CFCPys) September 12, 2022 The reason behind the reduced offer is probably Kante’s recent injury record, as Tuchel suggested shortly before getting the sack. Kante’s “injury rate” was a factor in deliberations about whether to award the deal he expected. Despite recording 42 appearances in 2021/22, the Frenchman’s time on the pitch was limited. He has also missed five of possible seven games in the current season. The counterpoint is that when Kante does feature — 262 times since moving — he tends to shine; in August’s victory away to Everton and the home draw against Tottenham, he was one of the stand-out performers. In Kante’s absence, there have been three defeats, and Tuchel was gone.Kante is a highly popular figure at Chelsea, which is why they want to prolong his stay. The regard in which Kante is held hasn’t diminished, and if he leaves, a host of leading teams are likely to battle for his services. Since arriving at Stamford Bridge, Kante lifted the trophy again in 2017 and has since secured the FA Cup, Europa League, Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup and also the 2018 World Cup.
