2 Replacements For N’Golo Kante Who Chelsea Can Target
Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly eyeing up a move for Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante. The Frenchman was voted as the best player in the Premier League when Chelsea won the Premier League title last season and the Ligue 1 giants have taken note.
Le10sport (h/t The Sun) report that the French powerhouse are readying a bid for the defensive midfielder. They see Kante as the player to help the ageing Thiago Motta and also eventually replace him.
However, the report does suggest that the cash-rich PSG may have big decisions to make in the summer to strengthen elsewhere. With Kante emerging as a top summer target for the Parisians, let us look at two ideal replacements Chelsea manager Antonio Conte should target.
Idrissa ‘Gana’ Gueye
Idrissa ‘Gana’ Gueye has been a revelation since arriving in England. The Senegal international was one of the shining lights in Aston Villa’s miserable side that suffered relegation in 2015-16.
His all-action displays for the Villans earned him a move to Everton and the midfielder has shown his true colours with energetic displays in the middle of the park. Gueye doesn’t possess a strong physical presence, but his high work-rate and strong tackling coupled with the ability to break up the play is second to nothing.
Should Kante leave for PSG, the Everton midfielder would really be a good addition for Conte and he wouldn’t be all that expensive either.
Steven N’Zonzi
N’Zonzi was always one of the toughest defensive midfielders during his time with Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City in the Premier League.
Even though the Frenchman left Stoke City to sign for Sevilla, he could make a return to the Premier League and under Antonio Conte, he would flourish. He is noted for being calm and composed whilst in possession and having a good passing ability. At 6ft 3in, he is more in the Patrick Vieira mould.
N’Zonzi might not be the best when going forward but he is rock solid at the back and he does have a lot of energy which would be a boon for Chelsea as Conte would look for more dynamism in midfield if Kante departs in the summer.
A decent bid should lure him away from La Liga. Imagine N’Zonzi-Bakayako tag-team in the middle of the park for the Blues!