Chelsea set to announce long-term Kante contract

Carlo Garganese

• 28 Feb 2023 13:00 GMT
• 3 min read

N’Golo Kante has agreed a new, long-term Chelsea contract, with official confirmation expected in the near future.

That is according to Fussball Transfers, who report that Kante has agreed on a new deal until 2026 with the option to extend it for a further year to 2027.

The deal is said to have all been done, with Chelsea making the offer in January and Kante initially requesting time to think it over.

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Kante’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of the current campaign, leaving him able to negotiate a pre-contract with other clubs.

Barcelona and Liverpool have both been heavily linked with signing Kante on a Bosman Transfer.

However, the veteran midfielder has now decided to stay at Chelsea.

Kante has been a key player for Chelsea over the past few years, especially during the club’s 2021 Champions League success.

However, he has been increasingly injury-prone in recent seasons and questions will be raised over the fact that he turns 32 next month. He will thus be 36 when his new deal expires, and 37 if the option is activated.

Kante injury problems

Kante has suffered a string of injuries over the last year or two that have complicated contract talks.

The former Leicester City star has played just 175 minutes of football this season with a hamstring injury, while he had four different injuries last season as well as two bouts of Coronavirus. He missed the World Cup due to injury.

Kante joined Chelsea after helping Leicester to win the Premier League in 2015-16.

He has made 262 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 11 goals. He has won one Premier League title, one Champions League as well as the World Cup during his time at the club.