N'Golo Kante Points Finger at Chelsea and Coaches for Failed Stint

Key Highlights :

1. Chelsea have already reduced their bloated squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, with N'Golo Kante the first player to make the switch.

2. Koulibaly failed to make the impression he would have hoped for at Chelsea last season, with some of the four managers who took charge of the team last term unconvinced by his transfer.

3. Koulibaly is now 32 years old and has decided to move on from Chelsea, with Senegal now his most important focus.

     N'Golo Kante's move from Chelsea to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal FC earlier this month marked the end of an underwhelming spell at Stamford Bridge for the Senegalese defender. After joining the Blues from Napoli last season for a fee of €23 million (R467 million), Koulibaly failed to make the impression he would have hoped for at the club, with poor form and some notable defensive errors leaving many unconvinced by his transfer.

     Now, Kante has spoken out on his abrupt exit from Chelsea, seemingly putting the blame on the team and those in charge for his failed stint. "I had no guarantees to get regular playing time [at Chelsea]," Koulibaly explained, according to ESPN. "I was always professional but I don't like to sit on the bench doing nothing. I prefer a place where I am wanted and at the centre of the project and can be an example for young players. The Premier League is fantastic and there are great players.

     "They [Chelsea] expected the Koulibaly of Napoli, but I think my season was not so bad. I needed time and in one year I couldn't prove what I wanted because of the coach's and club's choices. I am happy with what I learned about my limits, my family and my kids. My time had come and I had to make a decision."

     Kante's departure has left Chelsea with a much-reduced squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, with the club already being raided by Saudi Arabian and other teams for some of their out-of-favour stars. Kante was the first to leave, and he was followed by former teammate Kalidou Koulibaly, who spent just one season with the west Londoners.

     The 32-year-old defender will now join Al-Hilal, becoming one of the club's highest-paid stars following Portugal international Ruben Neves' arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderer. Kante said that his former teammates had sent him many messages of support, but he was now focusing on the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Senegal.

     "My teammates sent me so many messages, they are all sorry, but I have to prepare for the AFCON," he said. "It's the most important thing for me, Senegal want to win again, but it won't be easy."

     Kante's departure from Chelsea has been met with mixed reactions from supporters, with some feeling that his time at the club was cut short too soon, while others believe that he was given ample opportunity to prove himself but failed to do so. Either way, it's clear that Kante is keen to move on and make a fresh start at Al-Hilal.

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