As Leicester City are receiving a club record transfer fee for Frenchman N'golo Kante, many fans are left angry and annoyed as one of the shining stars of the unlikely champions joins Antonio Conte's new look Chelsea. Twitter rants from fans are leaving a bitter taste in my mouth as I'm preparing to say goodbye to one of my favorite players. I am upset but not at all angry, and I bare no hatred toward Kante at all for making the decision to leave.
You can hardly blame the big clubs around the world for coming in for him, with the most sublime defensive statistics in Europe's top five leagues last season, then going on to perform very well in Euro 2016 for France. It was only a matter of time.
Although I wish Kante would have stayed, or preferred a move away from England for him, I don't think city fans can abuse him for joining Chelsea. After all, a few years ago he was in the 7th tier of French football. He, like many players in our squad, has been the subject of a fairytale rise to stardom. He played a pivotal role in the greatest triumph our club has and ever will see. How can he ever be booed for moving on? I just can't fathom the city support booing him, or any other player involved in that title winning squad. These players gave us everything they had last season so if Kante, Mahrez or any other would like to take the next step and move to a top club, I won't blame them for it. Kante deserves a big move, at 25 years old he still has a long way to go in his career and I wish him the best.
Besides this, Leicester fans shouldn't worry too much. Yes, Kante is pretty much irreplaceable because there aren't any available players with the same capabilities as him, but Leicester have an unbelievable scouting network. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that we have a list of targets lined up to fill Kante's boots. Profiting more than 25 million from Kante's sale means we have an increased budget to go after some elite targets, and there is still plenty of time in the transfer window to negotiate a move. I have to admit, I am excited to see who is brought in, (hopefully) as a replacement. The recent signing of Nampalys Mendy is one that I am personally happy with, someone who is very much compared to Kante, possibly even with more on-the-ball capabilities.
Leicester City fansnshould rest easy knowing that the club isn't going to be tarnished with the sale of Kante. We still have a lot to look forward too in the defense of our Premier League title.
As for N'golo Kante, thank him for the memories he has helped provide that will last a lifetime, and support him as he moves forward with his career, I know I will. Just know he made his name in Leicester as a City player and that will never be forgotten. He continues to represent Leicester's title winning team even after he leaves.
Merci, N'golo!
