LEICESTER CITY HAVE lost one of their key players ahead of their Premier League title defence, with N’Golo Kante completing his big-money move to Chelsea.
The defensive midfielder signed a five-year deal with the Blues this afternoon after the clubs agreed a fee believed to be in the region of €38 million.
Kante becomes Antonio Conte’s second summer signing following the arrival of Michy Batshuayi from Marseille.
The French international’s departure from Leicester is a blow for Claudio Ranieri with Kante playing a key role in the Foxes’ extraordinary title win last season.
“I am so happy to have signed for one of the biggest clubs in Europe. It’s a dream come true for me,” the 25-year-old told Chelsea’s website.
“The opportunity to work with Antonio Conte, a brilliant coach, and some of the best players in the world was simply too good to turn down.”
Kante, signed for Leicester last summer from French club Caen for a bargain £5.6 million, was a revelation breaking down attacks during his maiden season in England as Ranieri’s side became shock Premier League champions.
He was named on the six-man shortlist for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award – won by Foxes team-mate Riyad Mahrez – but his displays also brought him to the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs.
“My first season in English football was very special and now I hope to go on to achieve even more during my time as a Chelsea player,” added Kante.
“I am looking forward to meeting up with my new team-mates and helping the club achieve a lot of success.”
Chelsea’s technical director Michael Emenalo called Kante “a perfect fit in terms of Antonio Conte’s philosophies and the style of football he wants to play.
“For a player of his age he has already built up a wealth of experience and his exceptional quality will without doubt be a great addition to the team.”
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https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/live-rugby-europe-mens-womens-7s-grand-prix-series-2018-marcoussis
Link if you want to watch it
Do teams like England and France actually care about this competition or is it just for small teams??
@buck turgidson: Both events are Rugby Europe Grand Prix. The world series for both men and women had a double header in paris 3 weeks ago
@Bob Joe: for the Rugby Europe Grand Prix England and France send development sides, as their main teams participate in the HSBC World Series in both Men’s & Womens. The world series is finished for this season, the Paris event (the weekend after Ireland Men’s recently won bronze at Twickenham as an invitational side) was the last Round. But you may see one or two players from the World Series squads beef up both for final rounds of the Grand Prix England added experienced at least two (Olly Lindsay-Hauge & Richard deCarpentier) to their squad last weekend. The success at Grand Prix level is great, but World Series is another level altogether and we don’t have the depth (yet…) if we lose a couple of our best players….
Please stop comparing rugby to this gimmick.
@Cormac Ó Braonáin: there are very obvious comparisons to make though, Cormac.