How Chelsea could sign their new N’Golo Kante this summer

A club of Chelsea’s stature going nearly a decade without a Premier League title is unthinkable – especially considering the funds spent over recent seasons.

BlueCo have spent over £1.4b on new additions since the summer of 2022, but the only trophy they have to show for their spending is the UEFA Conference League title.

Xabi Alonso’s appointment has seen a proven winner make the move to Stamford Bridge, with the Spaniard tasked with ending the Blues’ title drought.

His experience of winning the Bundesliga against the odds with Bayer Leverkusen makes him the perfect fit to bring the glory days back to West London.

However, the 44-year-old’s chances of being a success in the job would have increased tenfold had he been able to call upon one player who previously starred at the Bridge.

Why Kante would have been perfect for Alonso at Chelsea

Back in the summer of 2016, Chelsea secured the £30m signing of midfielder N’Golo Kante from Leicester City – in a deal which saw a top-level star join the Blues.

The Frenchman racked up over 250 senior appearances at the Bridge, even winning multiple major honours including the Premier League, Champions League and the Europa League.

Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 system, which he will no doubt implement in West London, demands high-intensity running and impressive ball-winning capabilities from the two central midfielders.

Kante possessed both of the aforementioned talents in abundance during his time with the Blues, leading to quotes about the midfielder covering the remaining 30% of the world with his running.

His stats from the Champions League final win over Manchester City in 2020/21 highlight his tremendous ability to disrupt the play – something which has become a rare commodity in the modern game.

The 35-year-old won the most ground duels of any player on the pitch and made the most ball recoveries – whilst also winning 100% of the tackles he entered.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are the two most senior options available to Alonso after his arrival – but he will no doubt be wishing he could call upon a player of Kante’s calibre.

How Alonso could find Chelsea’s new Kante

After his appointment at the Bridge this summer, new boss Alonso will no doubt want added reinforcements to help him in his quest for success at Chelsea.

Andrey Santos’ departure has opened the door for new midfield options to make a move to West London, but it remains to be seen how much BlueCo will be willing to spend on new additions.

However, it hasn’t stopped Roma and France star Manu Kone from emerging as the latest player on the Blues’ transfer shortlist this transfer window.

It’s been reported by Corriere della Sera via Sport Witness that Alonso’s side have already entered discussions with the Serie A outfit over a deal for the 25-year-old.

The report also states that Manchester United are another club interested in landing the midfielder, who could be available for around the €50m (£42m) mark ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Kone has become one of Europe’s most in-demand talents over the last couple of weeks, after catching the eye at the ongoing World Cup under Didier Deschamps.

His performances couldn’t prevent his nation from exiting the competition at the semi-final stage, but they could lead to Chelsea making a bid for the player’s services.

The 25-year-old featured five times during the tournament in America and managed to make a staggering 5.8 ball recoveries and 1.6 tackles per 90.

Both of the aforementioned figures highlight his tremendous ball-winning ability – something which made Kante the fan-favourite he was during his seven-year stay in London.

Kone also managed to win 4.2 ground duels and was only dribbled past 0.4 times per 90 – numbers which further highlight his excellent ability to disrupt the opposition’s flow.

However, the Frenchman is arguably a better option than Kante with the ball at his feet, subsequently completing 92% of the passes he attempted at the World Cup – leading to Rio Ferdinand labelling him as “France’s best midfielder.”

Such a figure ranks him in the top 10% of all players at the competition – which could hand Alonso the perfect box-to-box option in his possession-based system at the Bridge.

£42m for a player of the Frenchman’s calibre would be an excellent piece of business and one that could help finally end the club’s unthinkable wait for title glory.

Should he get anywhere near the levels of Kante in West London, it would be a bargain transfer and one that could allow the 25-year-old to write his name in Blues history.