Chelsea have been urged to hijack West Ham’s move for N’Golo Kante and bring their former player back to Stamford Bridge.
West Ham have expressed interest in signing Kante, who spent last season at Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad after ending his seven-year spell at Chelsea.
Kante enjoyed much personal and collective success in West London, lifting Premier League and Champions League trophies and establishing himself as a fans’ favourite with the Chelsea faithful.
The 33-year-old impressed for Euro 2024 semi-finalists France out in Germany and has since been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League.
New West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui is a known admirer of Kante, having tried to sign him during his brief spell as Real Madrid manager.
And the Spaniard has revived his interest in the 33-year-old, with West Ham optimistic of bringing the World Cup winner to the London Stadium.
While Kante is happy at Al-Ittihad, he is believed to be ‘open’ to the possibility of returning to the Premier League, having also enjoyed a successful spell at shock title winners Leicester City before joining Chelsea in 2016.
Ex-Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf was surprised by rumours linking Kante with West Ham and has urged his former club to hijack the deal.
‘When I saw the article I said, what? Why don’t Chelsea call him back? The guy is from Chelsea,’ Leboeuf told ESPN.
‘We don’t want to see him at West Ham, with all due respect, and I think if West Ham can get him, you know, that’s a very good catch because that guy has proven during the Euros that he was still at the top.’
What has N’Golo Kante said about his future?
Kante all but confirmed he was interested in a return to Europe during France’s run to the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
Asked if his career in Europe was over, Kante said at a press conference: ‘No, it’s not over. I appreciate the feedback. In Saudi Arabia, it’s new football, a new experience.
‘Finding these feelings again with the French team is beautiful, it touches me, we want to do well.
‘But that’s not a question I’m asking myself today.’
Kante added: ‘I feel good, last season went well with Al-Ittihad in Arabia, we had a good preparation with the French team.
‘At the moment I feel good, I hope this continues. In any case, there are the players needed to replace me if ever there is a problem, but I want to continue, to give the maximum.’
Chelsea slammed for ‘shameful’ transfer decision
Kante’s performances during the Euros reminded fans of his talent and especially his remarkable stamina in midfield.
And Leboeuf slammed Chelsea over their ‘shameful’ decision to sell Kante as he dominated several Euro 2024 games.
‘I’m frustrated as a former Chelsea player,’ he told BoyleSports. ‘I still follow all my former clubs and especially Chelsea, as something special happened with me and the fans there when I was at the club.
‘My frustration is now turning to anger. Chelsea change coaches but they are not thinking differently.
‘I try to stay neutral – even when Chelsea play Manchester United – but I have to be professional.
‘Chelsea as a football club is just not working and we are becoming a mockery for other clubs.
‘We live in the present and not the future, fans want results and I want results, I don’t want to wait four years to get them.
’We need to sign spine players – look at what N’Golo Kante is doing at the EUROs – it’s shameful why we’re getting rid of these players.
‘There’s no consistency and we also got rid of Thiago Silva, who was our only experienced defender.
’We have talented players but they are far too young. There needs to be a blend of youth and wisdom of experience and we don’t have that.
‘That is why we’re good and then terrible 15 minutes later and this is the new normal.’