N’Golo Kante Joins Al Ittihad in Record-Breaking Deal
After seven years at Chelsea, N’Golo Kante has completed his move to Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad. The midfielder will join his France teammate Karim Benzema at the reigning Saudi Pro League champions, where he has signed a four-year deal. Kante’s transfer is the latest in a series of high-profile moves from Europe to the Middle East, with Cristiano Ronaldo joining Al Nassr in January and Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves set to complete a move to Al Hilal.
Kante’s move to Al Ittihad is a record-breaking deal, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reporting that the midfielder will earn €100million (approximately £85.5m) plus image and commercial rights over the course of his four-year contract. The 32-year-old will be unveiled as an Al Ittihad player in July.
The departure of Kante from Chelsea marks the first senior outgoing at Stamford Bridge this summer, as the club looks to avoid being in breach of financial fair play rules. Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has spent over £600million on transfers since taking control of the club in May 2022, and a summer clearout is necessary to balance the books. A number of Kante’s former teammates at Chelsea have also been linked with moves to Saudi Arabia, including Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech, and Romelu Lukaku.
Chelsea’s signing of forward Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig for £63million was also confirmed on the same day as Kante’s departure.
Kante’s Legacy at Chelsea
N’Golo Kante joined Chelsea from Leicester City in 2016 and quickly established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. He played a key role in Chelsea’s Premier League title win in his first season at the club, and was named the PFA Player of the Year for his performances.
Kante’s tireless work rate, exceptional ball-winning ability, and intelligent distribution made him a fan favorite at Stamford Bridge. He was a key part of Chelsea’s success under Antonio Conte, helping the club win the Premier League and FA Cup in 2018.
Kante’s performances dipped slightly under Maurizio Sarri, but he regained his form under Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel. He played a crucial role in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in 2021, putting in a man-of-the-match performance in the final against Manchester City.
Kante’s departure will be a blow to Chelsea, but the club has already signed Saul Niguez on loan from Atletico Madrid as a replacement. The Spanish midfielder will provide competition for Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic in the center of the park.
The Rise of Saudi Arabian Football
The recent influx of high-profile players to Saudi Arabian football is a sign of the country’s growing ambition to become a major player in world football. The Saudi Arabian government has invested heavily in the sport, with the aim of hosting major international tournaments in the future.
The Saudi Pro League has also attracted top managers, with former Barcelona boss Quique Setien and ex-Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello both taking charge of clubs in the league. The league has also introduced new rules to encourage the development of young Saudi Arabian players, with clubs required to have at least three under-23 players in their starting lineup.
Conclusion
N’Golo Kante’s move to Al Ittihad is a record-breaking deal that highlights the growing ambition of Saudi Arabian football. Kante leaves Chelsea after seven successful years at the club, during which he established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. His departure will be a blow to Chelsea, but the club has already signed Saul Niguez on loan as a replacement. The Saudi Pro League is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for top players and managers, and it will be interesting to see how the league develops in the coming years.