"N’Golo fits into every manager’s plans on the planet," Thomas Tuchel stated with complete confidence early into his Chelsea tenure.
"I was desperate to have him in my teams. Now I am so lucky to have him in my squad. To see the guy live, to see how he works, how humble he is, and what quality he gives to this team, it is a gift to be his coach."
Tuchel is not the first coach to be beguiled by N'Golo Kante. Nor do you suspect he will he be the last. The French midfielder is a rare breed: a genuine world-class star without the slightest hint of ego. Chelsea are fortunate to have the 30-year-old in their squad.
Yet Kante was not the only Chelsea midfielder Tuchel was enamoured with prior to his arrival at Stamford Bridge. The German was also a huge admirer of Jorginho, who he would have happily worked with at Paris Saint-Germain.
"I would have picked him up personally if there was a chance," Tuchel admitted in August. "Jorgi is in love with this game and this is the feeling he transports from the first minute. He never stops transmitting this energy.
"He’s really into the game, thinking about tactics, and loves to be involved and feel a true connection with the game and such a positive guy. That makes him a very, very important player and a huge link in the middle of the pitch."
Kante and Jorginho have been integral to the success Tuchel has enjoyed during his first 12 months at Chelsea. Both have thrived in the German's 3-4-2-1 system; their strengths enhanced and weaknesses protected.
The duo produced near-flawless displays throughout last season's Champions League knockout stage and without them, Chelsea would not have claimed the big-eared trophy in Porto in May. That Kante and Jorginho finished inside the top five in the 2021 Ballon d'Or voting was recognition of that.
This term has been a little trickier for both, however. Kante has struggled with injuries while also twice being sidelined after testing positive for Covid. And the Frenchman's absences coupled with an injury to Mateo Kovacic resulted in Jorginho being pushed to his physical limit – he played through much of December with a back issue.
"I knew there would be a point in the season he feels his body and wouldn't be fully fit," Tuchel said prior to Christmas. "Jorgi has sacrificed himself for many weeks."
Kante and Jorginho will be pivotal to any further success Chelsea enjoy this term. Tuchel trusts them, relies on them, appreciates their quality and experience. Yet difficult decisions will have to be made over the two players' long-term futures at the end of the season.
As things stand, Kante and Jorginho are out of contract in the summer of 2023. And while there have been tentative discussions with both, Chelsea are not believed to be close to agreeing an extension with either midfielder.
The ages of the duo may be the reason why. Kante will turn 31 years old in March and Jorginho reaches that milestone at the end of the year. So the next contracts they sign are likely to be the final lucrative deals of their careers.
Chelsea are not in the habit of offering multi-year contracts to players in their thirties. The reasons why – whether you agree with them or not – are understandable. But are Kante and Jorginho worth breaking that rule?
If the Blues decide the answer to that question is yes, then Tuchel's midfield is largely set for the forthcoming seasons. There may be an addition this summer in the shape of Conor Gallagher and perhaps a further signing made, but there will be no need for dramatic change.
That could somewhat restrict Tuchel tactically as the German has spoken about Jorginho's physical limitations as a single six in the Premier League while he has also stated his belief Kante does his best work as part of a midfield two. Yet the quality of both may outweigh that small negative.
But what if Chelsea and Tuchel decide it's time for a change? Does Kante stay? Or does Jorginho? Or do both depart if the right offer is received? And if that is the case, who comes in to replace two players who were instrumental in a Champions League win?
It's an open secret that Declan Rice is a player Tuchel respects while Chelsea have held talks with the representatives of Monaco's Aurelien Tchouameni over the past year. Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong is also a reported target and let's not forget about Billy Gilmour, who looked at home in the Blues side last season but is currently on loan at Norwich City.
Whatever the choices Chelsea make regarding the futures of Kante and Jorginho, they will define the Tuchel era. And while they can't be made in haste the clock is already ticking.
