Author: Soorya G
In a surprising turn of events, Chelsea and France midfielder N’Golo Kanté has agreed to join Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad. The 32-year-old’s contract at Stamford Bridge is due to expire at the end of June, paving the way for his move to the Middle East. Kanté’s time at Chelsea last year was marred by injuries, limiting him to just nine games during the 2022-23 season. He will now be reunited with his countryman Karim Benzema, who recently left Real Madrid to join Al-Ittihad on a three-year contract with a salary of £172 million.
This transfer marks the end of a hugely successful chapter in English soccer for Kanté. His remarkable journey began with Leicester City, where he played a key role in their historic Premier League triumph during the 2015-16 campaign. He later moved to Stamford Bridge, where he continued to thrive. Kanté’s time at Chelsea was full of awards, including the prestigious UEFA Champions League, Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup titles.
His outstanding performances didn’t go unnoticed, as he was honored with the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year and Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year awards for the 2016-17 season. Kanté also played a key role in France’s triumphant 2018 World Cup campaign.
The move to Al-Ittihad means a new chapter in Kanté’s illustrious career. He signed a three-year contract with the Saudi Arabian club, reportedly worth £86 million. Although it came as a surprise to many, Kanté’s decision was justified as an ambition to take on new challenges. Joining forces with Benzema, Kanté will aim to make a significant impact on Saudi Arabian soccer, which has seen an influx of players from the world’s top leagues in recent times.
It has been reported that Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves is about to make a big move to Saudi Arabia, while Bernardo Silva and Son Heung Min have also been linked. Although Son and Silva are expected to reject the offers, Saudi Arabian clubs have been making big moves in the transfer market this summer.