With his signing in Saudi Arabia last summer, it seemed like the end of the story between N’Golo Kanté and the France team. But it is clear that the 2018 world champion still has plenty under his belt despite his 33rd birthday at the end of the month (he will celebrate on March 29). Since the start of the season, the former Chelsea player has found some color in the jersey of Al-Ittihad, 5th in the Saudi Pro League, but above all playing time.
Undermined by injuries over the last two seasons, which caused him to miss a total of more than 220 days of competition with Chelsea, the Frenchman has had a string of good performances today. Since September, Kanté has taken part in 28 matches with his club, scoring three goals and five assists. His last feat of arms? A superb achievement this Friday against leader Al-Hilal, despite his team’s defeat (3-1). Receiving a cross, NG opened the scoring with a nice diving header, his third goal of the season, after his two other golazos against Al-Fateh and Al-Faysaly.
Didier Deschamps will not be able to ignore his performances for long
No longer called up for the French team since June 2022, Kanté now benefits from less exposure in Saudi Arabia. However, Didier Deschamps had already spoken about it during the last rallies, insisting that the Clairefontaine door was not double-locked. “No, NG’s departure to Saudi Arabia does not end the debate on a return, I have not changed my position on that. The option I took after the World Cup is to give playing time to those who are there so that they can become more experienced, Warren (Zaire-Emery editor’s note) is one of them. NG plays, I give myself time. I still consider it selectable”DD reaffirmed in November.
But by following his player’s performances with a keen eye, Deschamps will not be able to ignore his current state of service for long. Adored by Nuno Espirito Santo, then by his successor Marcelo Gallardo, the Frenchman is his club’s most used player this season (2,510 minutes of play), just ahead of Brazilian international Fabinho. A prosperous period which comes at the right time for the former Caennais, while Didier Deschamps will unveil his penultimate list before the Euro, on March 14. Despite the emergence of Warren Zaire-Emery, Aurélien Tchouameni and even Eduardo Camavinga in recent months in the Blues, places could become available with the injuries to Adrien Rabiot and Boubacar Kamara. A man of few words, Kanté still keeps several arguments under his belt.
