The way he took his time to rob Diaz of the ball, I think everyone knew the outcome!
N'Golo Kante
- Thread starter Giggsyking
- Start date
I'd take him in a heartbeat. OK, he's getting into the twilight of his playing career but we need him to anchor the team and to protect the defence. I reckon in 3 years time he'd still be doing a good job of it. Class player and if his off the field attitude is anything like his on field one, then he's just the sort of player we need.
We could do a lot worse.
In 2016, we paid £94.5m on Pogba and Chelsea spent £32.2m on Kante. We bought the wrong French midfielder then, but I think it's too late to try and correct that now.
Kante would be another Matic - good for a bit, but then we'd be lumbered with his decline whilst paying him big wages. I doubt he'd join on a short term contract for reasonable wages.
United need to get better at selling players before they enter their physical decline. We shouldn't be buying more of them.
Kante would be another Matic - good for a bit, but then we'd be lumbered with his decline whilst paying him big wages. I doubt he'd join on a short term contract for reasonable wages.
United need to get better at selling players before they enter their physical decline. We shouldn't be buying more of them.
Maxence Caqueret???
Please no
He's already noticeably down a level or two this year. Has a player who relies as much on work rate and stamina ever continued at the top level for long after 30?
The likes of Park, Davids, Keane, Matthäus... most of the great terrier or box-to-box players I can think of were all either finished at the top level by 30-31 or playing other roles where they could 'sit' more, and I don't think Kante works in that role much more than someone like Fred does.
There's a reason Chelsea fans are fine with him being sold.
The likes of Park, Davids, Keane, Matthäus... most of the great terrier or box-to-box players I can think of were all either finished at the top level by 30-31 or playing other roles where they could 'sit' more, and I don't think Kante works in that role much more than someone like Fred does.
There's a reason Chelsea fans are fine with him being sold.
Matthaus did just fine I'll imagine.
If the plan is to put him beside Fred or McTominay then it's a terrible idea.
If the plan is to put him beside De Jong then it sound a very good idea.
If the plan is to put him beside De Jong then it sound a very good idea.
Forget the fees his wages will be 250k +. You sell Matic and buy Kante ? I don't feel good about this. Should try someone younger who is ready to make that jump.
If it comes to that, I honestly think we'd be better off with Fred next to De Jong. I don't think Kante will be guaranteed to be a better player than Fred by the middle of next season, and does basically the same job.
Maybe we should try him out who knows how he'll performHe did, but I don't think we're getting Kante to play as a sweeper.
They are entirely different players though.....
Fred De Jong won't work imo
Ideally I'd rather someone younger than Kante too to be honest but beggars can't be choosers.
I don't think they are. I'm struggling think of another current player closer in playstyle to Kante than Fred - and the stats pretty much back that up.
Kante carries the ball a bit more and is better at it, but that's about the only difference in style. You can say Kante's currently better, and Kante was certainly far better before this season, but I don't think they're different types of player at all.
Gonna be another Matic episode
Very much doubt it but if we by some logic do sign him then that logic would become clear that we are signing Rice next season and till then kante can fill the void. That’s the only explanation I can think of. Rice is the only DM we can’t afford right now and we can’t sign De Jong and Rice in one window.
Matthaus finished at the top level by 30-31 ? Continued playing for a decade more and his best days probably came after that period either as a Libero or a box to box. His second spell at bayern after returning from inter coincides with this period. You can ask bayern fans on caf if he was finished or not.
What ?
Matthaus finished at the top level by 30-31 ? Continued playing for a decade more and his best days probably came after that period either as a Libero or a box to box. His second spell at bayern after returning from inter coincides with this period. You can ask bayern fans on caf if he was finished or not.Better spend 60 or so million on Tchouameni than 20 or 30 on Kante
On further ruminations he would be perfect as a stop gap before we could get in someone younger like Rice or tchouameni but would he even accept that role in the first place?
Hes apparently on 290k a week so wages shouldn't be that big of a concern (by our miserable standards).
Hes apparently on 290k a week so wages shouldn't be that big of a concern (by our miserable standards).
The perfect type of midfielder to partner de Jong, but I dunno about he himself.
EtH clearly has a plan, though. He has de Jong as his number 1 target and knows we/he needs a Kanté-esque partner.
EtH clearly has a plan, though. He has de Jong as his number 1 target and knows we/he needs a Kanté-esque partner.
Would be quite ironic going for him now instead of before when we could've recreated the world cup winning midfield with Pogba with him before but he would absolutely be a terrific signing if we got him for ETH.
Having him cover the backline with de Jong dictating the tempo is a FIFA Ultimate Team style pairing that would make McFred look EFL League One level. Still not sure if there's anything real to it besides the fact ETH would fancy him but if there's even a hairs chance of pulling it off, why not try to make it happen?
Glad that it finally seems that we're seriously looking to prioritize and address the long-running midfield woes for once though. Sounds like ETH will push hard to get in 2 new impact midfielders.
Having him cover the backline with de Jong dictating the tempo is a FIFA Ultimate Team style pairing that would make McFred look EFL League One level. Still not sure if there's anything real to it besides the fact ETH would fancy him but if there's even a hairs chance of pulling it off, why not try to make it happen?
Glad that it finally seems that we're seriously looking to prioritize and address the long-running midfield woes for once though. Sounds like ETH will push hard to get in 2 new impact midfielders.
With so many players leaving/out of contract and others who are basically crap, I think Kante would be an astute signing. Prem ready for a year or so to help ETH bed in.
I agree he is on the wrong side of 30 and people's concerns but there has to be a balance for a new manager looking to rebuild a team.
I agree he is on the wrong side of 30 and people's concerns but there has to be a balance for a new manager looking to rebuild a team.
Incredible player but he appears to be on the decline. Was dreadful last night and these are the kind of games he'd usually dominate.
Stay away. We missed the boat 4-5 years back for me. It's one thing to sign a near 30 year old who relies on technical quality and another one who relies on physical and defensive abilities. He's not even a holding midfielder who can conserve energy.
Stay away. We missed the boat 4-5 years back for me. It's one thing to sign a near 30 year old who relies on technical quality and another one who relies on physical and defensive abilities. He's not even a holding midfielder who can conserve energy.
Its the right time. His Matic moment. Just hope we aren't the ones to take you up on that offer.
He's been brilliant for you though.
Kant be here next season.
Oh god no, he was a great player, was being the keyword there.
Chelsea are also world class at selling players, have a think back to a player that has left Chelsea and has been the same quality or better elsewhere? We've already been bitten by two of those in Mata and Matic, let's not keep eating the same poisonous apple eh?
Chelsea are also world class at selling players, have a think back to a player that has left Chelsea and has been the same quality or better elsewhere? We've already been bitten by two of those in Mata and Matic, let's not keep eating the same poisonous apple eh?
Only if few and wages are decent. We shouldn't be spending 30+ million and 200k+ on declining players.
Yes please, we can rotate him if need be. Would hopefully give us 3 good years.
We shouldn't sign a player this old, but it's easy to imagine him doing well in a Ten Hag midfield. Good at pressing and moving the ball quickly.
Get Caqueret
Any good?
Do it. Not as strong as he once was but was so far ahead of the pack that he'll still be top notch.
Salah, KDB ...
When did we become the team who bought players who past their peak? With Mata and Matic, it's like we're becoming Chelsea's retirement home.
Definitely not. If we were going to raid Chelsea I'd go after Billy Gilmour.
Definitely not. If we were going to raid Chelsea I'd go after Billy Gilmour.
No thanks. The ship has sailed for this one
I would take him on a 2+1 deal, provided the fees and wages are within reason, otherwise, we are better off getting a young prospect and persevere through the teething pains.
He’s 31, that’s not geriatric in terms of midfielders, it’s only his recent injury problem that is concerning.
If he was to join us and we somehow miraculously managed to win the league I think he'll become the first player to win it with 3 different clubs.
He has had a stop start season because of injuries. I don't think we should be the ones to find out if he will get over it.
It's not surprising, Modric, Benzema, Ronaldo are not about physicality and covering every blade of grass. Kante's biggest strength is his ability to close down players and win possession. He is good dribbler too but thats because of his quick acceleration rather than him being skillful. So it's a valid concern because of his age.