Chelsea Transfer News: N'Golo Kante Decision Wanted, Latest Blues Rumours

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has urged star midfielder N’Golo Kante to make a quick decision on his future, with Chelsea reportedly close to signing the Frenchman. 

According to Fabrizio Romano of the Guardian, the Leicester man is set to move to Stamford Bridge after the clubs agreed a €35 million (£29.2 million) fee for the midfielder.

As reported by Laurie Whitwell of the Daily Mail, with Leicester’s pre-season set to get underway against Oxford United on Tuesday, Ranieri has called for a solution to this transfer saga.

“I would like now to be sure who stays with me or not because now starts the friendly matches and I have to manage and change and try to do something,” the Italian said. “I would like to understand if he stays with me or not. I speak often with him. If one is not happy with me I prefer that he goes.”

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Ranieri added that while he does not want to lose Kante, he “can understand if he wants to go.” The Italian also revealed the player was offered a new contract by the Premier League champions before Euro 2016.

After a stunning debut season in England in 2015-16, Kante is considered one of the finest box-to-box midfielders in European football. It’d be a significant coup for the Blues if they were able to secure him in a deal worth just shy of £30 million.

As noted in this graphic by WhoScored.com, if Chelsea manager Antonio Conte brought in Kante, he’d have a tenacious midfielder at his disposal:

With the new Blues manager perhaps set to use a 4-4-2 system, the former Stade Malherbe Caen man could be an ideal capture. It’s a formation Kante thrived in with Leicester last season, with his energy, defensive awareness and forceful tackling enough to compensate against sides that possessed more numbers in this area of the field.

Conte demands intensity in all areas of the pitch, but the Blues midfield is short of this quality. 

Joao Mario to Turn Down Chelsea

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According to Simone Togna and Toby Gannon of the Sun, Chelsea will miss out on Portugal star Joao Mario, who is set to move to Inter Milan.

“The Euro 2016 winner will be bought by Chinese club Jiangsu Suning—whose owner Zhang Jindong is majority shareholder of the Nerazzurri—and immediately loaned out to Inter,” it’s suggested in the piece, with a £29 million fee said to have been agreed with Sporting Lisbon for the midfielder.

While the 23-year-old caught the eye of plenty when he excelled for his country in their glorious run to 2016 UEFA European Championship success, he had a brilliant domestic campaign as well.

Here is a look at some of the best moments from 2015-16:

Mario would be a major asset to most teams. When he gets hold of the ball, he’s a creative force, able to unpick defences with his outstanding passing skills and silky dribbling. 

As these numbers from Squawka Football show, Mario is also happy to put a shift in defensively:

He would certainly fit the Conte blueprint, and his versatility would be helpful for a manager happy to change systems frequently. However, with Oscar, Cesc Fabregas, Willian, Pedro and Eden Hazard already in place at Stamford Bridge, the Blues don't desperately need him.

Inter struggled for creativity at times last season, and Mario would give them a dose of that should he join. The San Siro would be a wonderful stage for him to showcase his qualities.