Reports in Spain have claimed that Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is eyeing up a move for Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante as an alternative for Paul Pogba.
It was widely reported this summer that Madrid were trying to sign Pogba from Manchester United (The Sun), but the French international stayed in Manchester. Now, according to Eldesmarque (via Sportwitness), Madrid president Florentino Perez has offered Zidane the possibility of Pogba’s France teammate N’Golo Kante as an alternative.
Sportwitness has relayed this speculation from the Spanish news outlet, stating that Madrid are willing to pay €120 million (£103.6 million) to secure the Chelsea star’s services.
A change of character?
It is also claimed in the Spanish press that Kante has told Chelsea he’s leaving if they don’t qualify for the Champions League again, but only time will tell whether anything comes of it.
TIF Tactics – Stick or twist?
If the claims from Spain are accurate, and Madrid have identified Kante as a potential future transfer, as well as the Frenchman actually having told the club he will leave if Champions League isn’t secured this season, then he could be the second recent Chelsea superstar to swap London for Madrid after the £90 million transfer of Eden Hazard to the Spanish club (BBC Sport).
But if Zidane is serious about going back for Pogba again, how does he compare Kante? Well, in the 2018/19 Premier League season, Pogba made 34 appearances to Kante’s 36. During those performances, Pogba had more goals and assists than Kante with 13 goals and nine assists to Kante’s four goals and four assists.
If Zidane wants a more attack-minded midfielder, Pogba would be the better option. However, considering how Madrid have conceded 14 goals so far this season in all competitions (Transfermarkt), then maybe the defence-oriented Kante (WhoScored) would be a more suitable signing.