Leicester City midfielder N’Golo Kante, who is reportedly the subject of serious Chelsea interest, has received some transfer advice from former Blues midfielder Claude Makelele.
N’Golo Kante was one of the key catalysts in Leicester City’s remarkable rise to the Premier League summit last season. His stellar displays earned him a place in France’s squad for Euro 2016, where he impressed potential suitors further. The Foxes’ midfielder was on the bench as the hosts suffered a heartbreaking extra-time defeat to champions Portugal.
The 25-year-old has attracted interest from a number of clubs, with Chelsea seemingly in pole position to sign the midfielder. The Blues were not the only club interested in the player and London rivals Arsenal were rumoured to be preparing an approach for Kante.
There was reported interest from Liverpool and Manchester United as well as European powerhouses Real Madrid. Italian champions Juventus were also in pursuit of the Frenchman’s signature. However, the Premier League champions are trying their best to keep the dynamic midfielder, with reports earlier today suggesting that Leicester had offered to make Kante their highest-paid player in order to fend off interest from suitors.
Makelele was given the nickname “water carrier” as he was a master at doing the dirty work and letting his teammates take the limelight. Kante has often been compared to the former Real Madrid and Chelsea midfielder for his style of play, but Makelele believes the 25-year-old can develop into a better player. Makelele even had some transfer advice for the French international.
He is quoted by the Sun as saying: “[Kante] arrived in a good way, now he wants to play in the Champions League. It’s another competition, another stress, just like the national team. He needs to get everything from every experience.
“He still has the same way of playing, the same happiness, but he needs to play in a big team.
“I don’t want N’Golo Kante to be compared with me. Kante can be Kante. I want him to be more than me, but I love to watch him play because you can see in him the joy.”
It will be interesting to see where Kante ends up this summer. His most likely destination seems to be the Premier League with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United keen on signing the midfielder. Chelsea seem to be leading the race and if the 25-year-old ends up at Stamford Bridge, Blues fans would be hoping he can have the sort of impact Makelele did at the club.