Frank Lebouef has urged N’Golo Kante to consider retiring (Picture: ESPN FC)

Frank Lebouef has urged Chelsea start N’Golo Kante to listen to his body and consider making a shock decision to retire.

The 31-year-old has been restricted to just two appearances this season and is yet to feature under Thomas Tuchel’s successor Graham Potter.

A hamstring injury denied him the chance to help France defend their World Cup crown in Qatar and he is still some way short of being ready to make his Chelsea comeback.

Kante has been plagued by knee an groin injuries in each of the last two seasons and with his body apparently failing him, Lebouef feels a decision to prematurely call time on his incredibly career might be the best option.

He told Safe Betting Sites: ‘I haven’t spoken to Kante directly about his fitness and how he feels but it could be that he’s nearing the end of it [his career].

‘Because the thing is we have to understand that we are talking about a human being.

‘Suddenly your body says okay, enough, leave me alone.’

N’Golo Kante has made just two appearances for Chelsea this season (Picture: Getty)

Kante has made 261 appearances for Chelsea since his move from Leicester in the summer of 2016 and played pivotal roles in the sides which have won Premier League and Champions League titles.

At his best, the Frenchman has been among the most influential players in various sides under Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri, Frank Lampard and Tuchel but it increasingly looks as though Potter will have to plan for a future without Kante.

Lebouef added: ‘The end of your career is also a part of your career, and you have to choose the right time to give up.

‘Even if you don’t want to and even if your football is great and you want to carry on. 

‘You have to give envy to people and not pity. So you have to make a decision in your own mind [regarding retirement].

‘You have to talk to your family and say maybe okay, it’s over

‘So I don’t know his shape but if he feels that he can serve Chelsea well then he should stay.’

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This would be a heartbreaking decision to have to make.