West Ham United slammed over N’Golo Kante transfer developments amid Chelsea warning
West Ham signing N’Golo Kanté would be a “huge and unnecessary gamble” this summer, according to Jacob Steinberg.
The Guardian journalist reacted via X on 19 July after his paper had reported a day earlier on transfer talks between the Irons and Al-Ittihad over a potential £20million deal for the French star.
Fabrizio Romano has since indicated (19 July) that the Hammers want to make him a “top target” even though the Saudi side are unwilling to sell but Steinburg claims Kanté’s fitness is no longer good enough for the Premier League.
He wrote: “Kante was injured for most of his final 4 seasons in England. Not sure why anyone would think he’d be physically up to it after a year in Saudi.
“And no, a few decent games in much slower international football isn’t proof. It would be a huge and unnecessary gamble from West Ham.”
West Ham warned over France at Euro 2024 showings
Kanté did pick up an increasing number of injuries in the latter years of his time at Chelsea but it would be wrong to say that he was out for “most” of that time.
It is certainly a valid concern that he was only fit for nine appearances in his final season at Stamford Bridge and the Premier League is a high-tempo, physical league.
Six starts for France at Euro 2024 impressed [iNews, 22 June] after 44 appearances from his first season in Saudi Arabia and while neither are the English top flight it proves his fitness up to a point.
There is also the small matter of Chelsea’s Champions League-winning campaign three years ago where Kanté played 48 games in all competitions to bounce back after an injury-hit previous season.
He was also named player of the match four times during the knockout stages in Europe, including both legs of the semi-final clash with Real Madrid and the final against Manchester City [UEFA Champions League].
Whether Julen Lopetegui will be able to finally land a player he has wanted since he was in charge at the Bernabeu remains to be seen and at 33 it wouldn’t be a long-term move.
But Kanté has rebounded before to comprehensively respond to doubts and were he to do so again as a Hammer it would be a huge positive for the new manager.
In other West Ham news, a mega-rich club believes they can do a deal to sign a London Stadium star despite the Irons not wanting to sell.
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