Fabrizio Romano provides Kante contract update and reveals ‘key’ in talks

Robin Bairner

• 22 Feb 2023 07:59 CST
• 3 min read

N’Golo Kante’s Chelsea contract expires at the end of the season, but the France international remains locked in talks with the Blues.

The 31-year-old has barely featured this season because of injury but is soon expected back in the first-team fold, having been spotted warming up with the first-team squad in training this week.

His contract remains a hot topic of debate, with some believing that his increasing injury problems are a red flag that Chelsea should take heed of.

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Nevertheless, Kante has been a defining player of his generation due to the nature he has changed the defensive midfield role with his all-action style when out of possession and there appears to be a certain fear that the Blues could lose a top player as a free agent.

Liverpool were linked with a shock move late in the January transfer window for him while Barcelona have also taken an interest in the midfield star.

Chelsea, meanwhile, seem to be taking a balanced approach to negotiations, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that they are optimistic over striking a deal.

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N'Golo Kante contract latest

Romano reports that no contract length has yet been agreed – and previously this was thought to be a sticking point. While Chelsea have favoured a shorter-term deal, doubtless in part due to Kante’s increasing injury proneness, the player wants a multi-year contract that will secure his future to the club, potentially for the rest of his career at the top level.

It is stated that the “key factor” in negotiations may be the strength of feeling that Kante has for Chelsea – a club that he loves.

The France international, who missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to injury, has played 262 matches for Chelsea – which is well over half his senior appearances.

Kante last appeared for Chelsea on 14 August in a 2-2 draw with Tottenham but has since been laid up with a hamstring injury. He is thought to be a handful of weeks away from action again.