A huge talking topic most of this season has been will they, won't they sign new deals for our defenders.
We are now into February, and we still have three uncertainties in defence with Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta all yet to sign a new deal and commit their future to the club.
The CareFreeChelsea team doesn't want this same topic next season with N'Golo Kante, who has less than 18 months left on his deal now.
It feels like huge decisions need to be made as Kante struggles to stay fit with injuries seeming to catch up with him and the club strongly linked to Declan Rice and Aurélien Tchouaméni.
What should the club do with Kante this summer? If we offer him a new deal and how much and for how long?
Anita Abayomi
Throw the entire kitchen sink at him. Give him all the money he wants. Contact all the banks, contact Roman Abramovich directly. Let's keep this unique asset at Chelsea by all means necessary. Kante is more than just a player. He is the stunning engine that keeps this Chelsea side going.
I know that he is injury-prone. I know that it is only a matter of time before we see the end of his best days. However, it could take years until that happens. Though he picks up an injury here and there, he never looks tired. Every time he returns, he gives 110% on the pitch. Half of that effort from the Frenchman would still be enough to cause any opposition troubles.
Kante plays like he is two people. You cannot keep your eyes on him because he is everywhere at once, protecting the defence, running riot on the press. I cannot understate just how important he still is to this squad.
A realistic contract would be another four years with the Blues. Not many legends retire at Chelsea, but we can make an exception for World Cup Kante. Maybe throw in a retirement plan too? Okay, I might have gone too far there.
Daniel Childs
This isn't really as simple an answer as it probably should be given the insane quality of the player we are talking about.
But the reality is, Chelsea have been unable to rely on N'Golo for a full season since the 2018/19 campaign, where he pushed through the pain to feature in the Europa League final. Although his influence helped Chelsea win a trophy in the short term, the long term effects of his availability have been harmful.
Kante is now a player that has to be carefully managed, and for such a vital area of the pitch, it is hard to navigate that precarious situation. Books will be written about the Frenchman's influence on European football, but Chelsea can't keep relying on a player who is missing periods of the season through reoccurring injuries.
Jake Stokes
Kante has to extend his stay at Chelsea for at least two years if not three. There's no player better than him in the world that does what he does, and I don't see the value in losing him for the sake of
What the Blues paid for him and for what the club got in return is incomparable- one of, if not the, best pound for pound signing Chelsea have ever made.
Beyond just what he offers on the pitch, I think he's a great role model and template for the next batch of midfielders at Chelsea, whether that be Declan Rice, Billy Gilmour or Charlie Webster - Kante offers so much and can still offer so much to the club.
I am worried about his growing injury record, which I'm sure can be nursed, but I'd definitely factor that into a new contract if I was Chelsea. So, here's what my ideal contract for Kante would look like...
Contract Length: Three Years plus an option for a further year if he has completed 90 minutes of 75% of starts from the three years prior, from a minimum of 80 appearances.
Release Clause: £100 million.
'Ladies and gentlemen, it's matchday' bonus: £1,000 for every new video he posts on social media reenacting his famous line.
Mini Car Clause: Kante gets to buy a new Mini whenever he wants, funded by the club.
Renuka Odedra
As long as Kante wants to continue the Chelsea journey, I don't see the club letting a talented player like him leave. He has been instrumental in making sure everything ticks along in midfield. Small but mighty would be the perfect words to describe Kante. His work rate is second to none, and he adds extra momentum when you need it.
The thought of not seeing another non-celebrated goal celebration from Kante is a sad one too. Okay, he might not be playing every game but imagine having a powerhouse like him on the bench, another weapon for Thomas Tuchel in the battle for the Premier League. Give him one year on his contract, review and then go from there. But keep him 100%.
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