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What Would Have Happened If This Chelsea Powerhouse Had Signed For Manchester United?

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Following Leicester City’s astonishing title triumph last season, several members of the squad were showered with praise, none more so than French midfield dynamite, N’Golo Kante.

The 25-year-old established himself as one of the finest players in the Premier League with a string of tireless displays for his side. His contribution earned him a place in the national team for the Euros, played on home soil. Having been purchased for a fee reported to be around 5.6 million pounds from French outfit Caen, Kante’s stock skyrocketed to 32 million pounds when Chelsea came knocking twelve months later. The champions could not resist the offer and made provisions for his departure by signing the likes of Nampalys Mendy and Daniel Amartey from Nice and FC Copenhagen respectively. Nevertheless, Kante felt a big money move in the Premier League would be the right step for him despite his former manager, Claudio Ranieri’s repeated requests to his title winning players to stick together for at least another season.

What was oblivious to the public eye, though, was a spell of interest by Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho for the Frenchman. Kante revealed he was identified as an important piece of the juggernaut Mourinho aspired to assemble at Old Trafford. By then, the midfielder had made up his mind though and went on to say he was hesitant between staying at Leicester or moving to Chelsea. United did go on to complete a record-breaking deal for their former academy starlet Paul Pogba, thereby creating a much stronger squad than those managed by David Moyes and Louis van Gaal. Yet, in a case of what could have been for the Red Devils, Kante would have been a valuable addition to the roster.

Simply put, United would have acquired an engine in the centre of the park. Kante’s ability to cover almost every blade of grass on the pitch was well complemented by his inch-perfect tackles and timely interceptions last season. Having amassed over one hundred of each in that regard, Kante was acknowledged as the ideal defensive-midfielder many big clubs in the Premier League ought to have had. Pogba may be a force in the attacking areas of the pitch but the one element of his game that has been criticised is his defensive awareness. That is a box Kante has successfully ticked and it may prove to be one Chelsea reap rich rewards from.

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United’s line-up would have looked a tad more menacing with Kante partnering his international teammate Pogba. It most certainly would have had the perfect balance, given the qualities both players exhibit. With Pogba capable of dribbling his way past his counterparts, Kante would have been asked to screen the backline and shut out any incoming threats. More often than not, a defensive-midfielder is deployed as a third centre-half, thereby ensuring there is sufficient cover should a counter-attack leave either or both full-backs too far up the pitch. Kante’s astounding work rate and limitless stamina is suitable for vulnerable situations at the back and having demonstrated those endearing attributes time and time again for Leicester City, it is fair to say the Frenchman may well prove to be indispensable for his new employers this season.

The Old Trafford faithful are well and truly upbeat following a perfect start to the season and their new acquisitions and that may render the disappointment of not landing Kante moot. However, his inclusion would have been a welcome one. For all the talk of the two Manchester clubs ruling the roost this year, the presence of N’Golo Kante in midfield for Chelsea may yet spring a surprise in the title race this year. Exciting times lie ahead in the English top flight.

Written by Karan Chopra

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