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Chelsea should look to sell N’Golo Kante this summer after five further Champions League fixes…

N’Golo Kante was player of the match in both Champions League semi-final legs against Real Madrid and in the final against Manchester City last season. He went full Kante in all three of those games: stealing possession; breaking up play; driving forward; creating chances. But that Kante – the one who takes hold of a game of football and refuses to give it back – has been an infrequent presence for Chelsea this season. The many miles run appear to be catching up with him and this Champions League campaign could, and perhaps should, be his last hurrah for Chelsea.

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Kante has started just 15 Premier League games under Thomas Tuchel this season and has had four separate injury lay-offs. When he has been in the team, he’s rarely played with the verve and intensity that could be proffered as his middle name, suggesting every aspect of his midfield machinery isn’t quite running smoothly.

Similar was said at the same stage last season, with his performances in the latter stages of the Champions League making those who questioned him look very daft indeed. But that was the start of a trend that’s seen Kante move towards becoming an outstanding footballer who can put in outstanding performances, rather than an outstanding