Amidst Kante Transfer Rumors: Two possible replacement of N’golo Kante.

Game in, game out, Kante is being asked to be an all-action midfielder. While he has shown impressive improvements in his game, he isn’t the ultimate box-to-box midfielder.

Nearly every Chelsea fan wants N’Golo Kante to stay in west London and play in his best position, Yet as transfer rumours persist there has to be an eye for the future: a Kante-less build up at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea will not find a like-for-like replacement for N’Golo Kante.

Chelsea are continually linked to England international Declan Rice.

The West Ham defensive midfielder came through the youth system at Chelsea, Rice is nowhere near as good as Kante is, but Rice has age and nationality on his side: he is only 21, and he is English. Frank Lampard seems bent on nurturing a young English core in his Chelsea team. Declan Rice could slot in alongside another talented youngster, Billy Gilmour, who is the heir apparent to Jorginho.

A Kante-less build up might be a nightmare for Chelsea fans and team structure, but if Declan Rice came to Stamford Bridge to feel the void it would go a long way to softening the blow.

A second possible in-house replacement for N’Golo Kante is Mateo Kovacic.

The Croatian had started to find his groove under Lampard before the season was suspended. His passing and ability to ride a tackle is elite. While his engine isn’t as good as Kante’s (no one’s is), he displays a drive and determination to win the ball back that is crucial to any team.

Kovacic is also the cheapest option since the club already own him, and he is proven at serious competition with consistent and impresive impact on senior England games at the top level.

If Frank Lampard have to choose his replacement, Declan Rice just edges out Mateo Kovacic. He is the closest direct replacement for Kante, has a strong connection with the club and some of the players, and his relative youth compared to Mateo Kovacic gives him more time to grow and peak as a Blue.