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Topics: Premier League, Chelsea, Manchester United, NGolo Kante, Transfers
Ryan Sidle
Topics: Premier League, Chelsea, Manchester United, NGolo Kante, Transfers
N'Golo Kante is being eyed up by Manchester United this summer, with Erik ten Hag hoping to add two more midfielders to his team.
Ten Hag has a big summer ahead of him, after joining United from Ajax at the beginning of the week, following the team's worst points performance in the Premier League era.
Top of the wishlist for the Dutchman is said to be bringing in two new midfielders to Old Trafford, especially with Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic on the way out of the club.
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Whilst Frenkie de Jong has previously been heavily linked with a move to United, the club are also eyeing up Kante, for the defensive midfield position.
The Guardian claims that United are considering a move for the midfielder, although Chelsea don't want to sell the World Cup winner, despite his recent injury record.
Thomas Tuchel recently revealed his frustration at Kante's problems this season, which saw him completely miss 16 games this season, comparing him with the likes of Virgil van Dijk and even Kylian Mbappe.
"I think he is our key, key, key player; but key, key, key players need to be on the pitch," Tuchel said of the former Leicester City midfielder.
"He plays only 40% of the games. So it’s maybe a miracle that we arrived in third place.
"Because he is our Mo Salah, he is our Van Dijk, he is our [Kevin] De Bruyne. He is our Neymar, he is our Kylian Mbappé; he is the guy who makes the difference. And if you only have him 40% it’s a huge problem."
Despite that, and the Guardian's claims, the Athletic report that Chelsea would actually be willing to part ways with Kante, and he might not cost that much.
The 31-year-old's contract ends next summer and, with his injuries also a factor, the west London club could decide to cash in whilst they still can.
The Blues have also been far more ruthless, and efficient, at when to get rid of ageing players in recent years than their Premier League rivals.
United would have to weigh up whether the cheap price for someone of Kante's undoubted brilliance, and experience, is worth the risk for someone with his recent injuries.
If it didn't work out, they would be left ruing another move for an ageing midfielder from Chelsea, as they did with Matic, who had some great moments at United but became too slow and leggy to feature regularly as time wore on.
Kalvin Phillips is another central midfielder who could fill the gap left for a defensive midfielder in United's squad, although that move is somewhat complicated.
Philips is a lifelong Leeds United fan and may not want to move to their hated rivals across the Pennines, although that doesn't rule out a move down the M62, as Manchester City are also said to be interested.