Against Watford, I noticed an improvement in our attacking play when Kante was subbed off. If he cannot be played in his preferred role, then we can as well sell him for a reasonable fee as well don't really need to replace him going by Sarri's philosophy unless we are not planning to keep the Italian.

we don't*

Would love him at Arsenal, think he'd improve us massively

Kante's role in Sarri's setup is almost as misunderstood as Jorginho's. Every tactical setup needs some kind of defensive stability somewhere, for Sarri that's always been the right hand side specifically the RCM role whether it's his 4312 (Empoli) or 433 (Napoli & Chelsea).

He's not Allan, who had more of a balance between his defensive awareness + his ability to break lines/invade half spaces, but he's getting there fast and his natural inclination as a defensive player simply means the RB would have more protection to advance when we're in control of the ball (unlike Hysaj at Napoli) - meaning Azpl could be cash-in on.

The fact Kante's easily been one of our top 5 players this season (IMO) playing in a role where he's had to adapt and learn all season says all you need to know about his quality as a player in general. We'd be mad to sell him, especially if he's happy, and especially considering we could quite easily sack Sarri on a whim at any point next season (maybe even at the end of this season, it's us).

Would love him at Arsenal, think he'd improve us massively
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You already have a mini-Kante in Lucas Terriera. Your primary concern should be the defense mate, tell me how is Mustafi still there?

comment by Devil D.A. (U6522)
posted 3 minutes ago
Would love him at Arsenal, think he'd improve us massively
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You already have a mini-Kante in Lucas Terriera. Your primary concern should be the defense mate, tell me how is Mustafi still there?
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Our main concern is defence but also we have this caaaant called Xhaka in CDM who is even worse than Mustafi and that's who Kante would be booting out. Toreira alongside Kante would work IMO

Sell Kante? Are you being serious...

Don't get all this preferred position nonsense, Kante has had a very good season.

Kante been class all year.

Last person to show the door.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

comment by Sideshow (U11809)
posted 9 minutes ago
Can’t believe this debate is still going on
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Agreed.

Word has it you’ve lost your appeal over the transfer ban.

You will need to keep Kante

Possibly the worst idea in the world since King Harold asked his 2nd in command to give his archers some practice in at Hastings in 1066.

Whoever you sold him to (either domestic rival or CL team from abroad) would be strengthening themselves massively, as he would be an upgrade on any player he'd be replacing.

Wouldn't make sense to sell him at all, better to keep him and play him, even if he's not quite in his best position.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

How do you propose replacing him? Aren't you banned from signing players? Kante is the least of your worries. Still the best CM of his type in Europe.

"Why not cash in on him and get another midfielder "

Because you're banned from signing players

And it's been upheld by FIFA.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48202945?fbclid=IwAR0-BMutGfO26weAGLDMVFlBiaeQknthDyFP09SCJmv00msw63nJPb1TJvg


There you go.

Hope it doesn't get overturned by CAS, as then we definitely won't be able to sign Higuian and Kova permanently.

Great news for James, Sterling, Mount, Tomori, Abraham and Dasilva (depending on what terms are written into his loan deal with BCFC).

I get what the OP is saying though - even if I don't agree with the idea of selling Kante myself. It could be argued that Kante is being somewhat wasted as a RCM player - rather than in his previous CDM role.

You could argue that it would be better to have a great technical, attacking midfield player in that position - like KDB (god forgive us for selling him) or a young David Silva or a young Iniesta - rather than putting a square peg in a round hole, which some people might suggest is Kante's situation. You could get a HUGE fee for selling Kante, and then replace him with another world class player who is more suited to playing in that position under Sarri's formation.

I'm not saying we should do that - it is a massive risk, even if we were allowed to sign players (which we currently are not). Spending enormous amounts of money on players does not always result in good signings - and our transfer team isn't famous for making good decisions, so we're more likely to buy another Bakayoko. My feeling is, Kante will be even better next year with a full year of playing in that position under his belt. And there is no substitute for the kind of energy he brings to the team. We'd be better off focusing on improving both full backs, one centre back, and a striker before we worry about replacing Kante.

Kante has never been a CDM though, he played in a 2 man midfield previously in which he was a CM

I get what the OP is saying though - even if I don't agree with the idea of selling Kante myself. It could be argued that Kante is being somewhat wasted as a RCM player - rather than in his previous CDM role.

You could argue that it would be better to have a great technical, attacking midfield player in that position - like KDB (god forgive us for selling him) or a young David Silva or a young Iniesta - rather than putting a square peg in a round hole, which some people might suggest is Kante's situation. You could get a HUGE fee for selling Kante, and then replace him with another world class player who is more suited to playing in that position under Sarri's formation.
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To be frank the only way to fully utilize Kante's potential is the play with a two man midfield, in any three man midfield formation he's a square peg in a round hole. Playing at DM you retain his defensive instincts from a deeper position, but you completely sideline his energy and aggressive pressing (basically what makes Kante Kante)

The closest Kante can get to being deployed in a non counter attacking style while still playing him to his absolute best is in a gegenpress, which is basically very aggressive counter attacking

comment by Scruttocks (U19684)
posted 7 hours, 49 minutes ago
Would love him at Arsenal, think he'd improve us massively
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...jeez the list of things that would improve you are staggeringly long

Frankly if we sell Kante to keep Sarri this board will implode

Frankly if we sell Kante to keep Sarri this board will implode
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Jorginho on twitter following the move.

"Good luck my friend"

Riots on King's Rd

If we were to sell the Little Emperor ,and to retain Il Duce, those riots in Paris are nothing to what would happen down the Fulham Road !