In a recent report, Mundo Deportivo stated that Barcelona are facing stiff competition for Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante. It has been claimed that the Catalan giants will have to rival Atletico Madrid in the race to land the France international.
Kante’s Injury-Plagued Season In English Football
Kante is experiencing a difficult campaign at Chelsea as he has struggled to remain injury-free during this campaign. The French midfielder has only made two appearances for the Blues this season in the Premier League.
However, the 31-year-old has proven his worth by averaging 2.5 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 1.0 shots, 1.5 key passes and 2.0 dribbles per 90 minutes in the English top flight. He has even been excellent when distributing the ball from midfield after completing 84.8% of his attempted passes in the top tier of English football (stats via whoscored).
Kante is under contract at Stamford Bridge until the end of this campaign. Thus, it makes sense for a top club like Barcelona to offer him a contract when he becomes a free agent later this summer.
Barcelona Facing Stiff Competition For Kante: Is He Worth The Fight?
Kante remains a solid tackler of the ball and can sense the danger quickly to earn the ball back for his team in the middle of the park. He doesn’t mind putting his foot through the ball when the opposition are on the offensive and has got the eye to play a few decisive passes in the final third. Kante can shoot the ball with power and accuracy from long range and is a good dribbler with the ball as well.
However, the France international has been quite injury-prone of late. Hence, he will be a risky option for Barcelona to consider at the end of this season.
Kante is primarily a defensive midfielder but can also fill in as a box-to-box midfielder if his manager asks him to do so. Plus, he has got a wealth of experience under his belt and would inject more bite and steel into Xavi‘s midfield department at the Nou Camp.
At 31, Kante might still have a few good years left in him to play at his best. Thus, he is well worth the fight and could help the Catalan club challenge for some major honours over the next couple of seasons. However, Xavi will have to hope that Kante can stay injury-free if he wants to get the best out of him at the Nou Camp.
