Kante could leave Chelsea - says Cascarino

The France international might seek a move away from Stamford Bridge if he continues to be played out position, according to the former Blues striker.

Tony Cascarino believes that N'Golo Kante could leave Chelsea at the end of the season if Maurizio Sarri continues to favour Jorginho in a holding midfield role.

The Italian playmaker was asked to take up the position against Tottenham at Wembley last Saturday, with disastrous results, as the home side ran out 3-1 winners.

Kante was deployed in a wider role further up the pitch while Jorginho was guilty of leaving too much space in midfield for Spurs to counter.

Sarri defended his decision in an interview on Wednesday, insisting that Kante does not possess the technical ability to fill that vital defensive position, which raised more than a few eyebrows.

The 27-year-old had occupied that role for three and a half years at club level at both Chelsea and Leicester City to great effect, winning the Premier League twice and the FA Cup.

He also has the same responsibility for France at international level and was a key part of their World Cup success in Russia this summer and ex-Blue Cascarino feels that the 27-year-old is being undervalued at Stamford Bridge at the moment.

“I don’t think Sarri’s comments about Kante being more technical were too much to be concerned about," the former Republic of Ireland international told talkSPORT.

“I think the bigger issue with Kante is they have given him a new contract because they know so many clubs are sniffing around him, but he’s being played out of position.