Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is reportedly determined to keep hold of N'Golo Kante this summer amid interest from Manchester United.
The 31-year-old was again a vital player for the Blues during the 2021-22 campaign, featuring on 42 occasions in all competitions, contributing two goals and five assists in the process.
The France international's current deal is due to expire next June, though, and there has recently been speculation surrounding his future, with new Man United boss Erik ten Hag believed to be determined to bring him to Old Trafford in the upcoming market.
Ten Hag allegedly feels that Kante 'has the ability, experience and hunger' to help the younger players at the club, while he would bring a winning mentality to Old Trafford, having lifted the Premier League with Leicester City before moving to the Blues, where he has won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.
However, according to The Athletic, Tuchel is unwilling to let the World Cup winner leave Stamford Bridge for Man United during this summer's transfer window.
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Kante struggled with injury problems during stages of the 2021-22 campaign, and the Chelsea manager recently admitted his frustration that the midfielder could not stay fit for the whole season.
"I think he is our key, key, key player; but key, key, key players need to be on the pitch," Tuchel said this month. "He plays only 40% of the games. So it's maybe a miracle that we arrived in third place.
"Because he is our Mo [Mohamed] Salah, he is our [Virgil] van Dijk, he is our [Kevin] De Bruyne. He is our Neymar, he is our Kylian Mbappe; he is the guy who makes the difference. And if you only have him 40% it's a huge problem.
"This guy who gets man of the match in every Champions League game is only here for 40-something per cent of games, this is huge for us. We'll do everything to solve it. I don't blame him but it's a concern."
The midfielder has represented Chelsea on 258 occasions since arriving from Leicester in 2016, contributing 13 goals and 15 assists in the process.
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Man United are preparing to overhaul their midfield this summer, as Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic are both set to leave the club on free transfers.
Donny van de Beek could be given the chance to kickstart his Man United career under Ten Hag, with the Dutchman having a strong relationship with the manager that he played under at Ajax.
Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong continues to be linked with a move to Old Trafford, but the team's lack of Champions League football for next term could cost them the chance to sign the Dutchman.
Conor Gallagher may be given the chance to break into the Chelsea first team next season following an impressive campaign on loan at Crystal Palace, meanwhile, but a recent report claimed that Tuchel would rather Jorginho was moved on this summer than Kante.
The Blues finished third in the 2021-22 Premier League, in addition to reaching the final of the EFL Cup and FA Cup and quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Matt Law
