Former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Dean Saunders has urged Manchester City to consider a surprise move for former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kanté, insisting the Frenchman is still capable of performing at the very highest level.
City are once again locked in a tight Premier League title race with Arsenal, currently sitting five points behind the league leaders but with a game in hand. Pep Guardiola’s side have also outscored the Gunners so far this season, keeping the title firmly within reach.
With the January transfer window approaching, Saunders believes Kanté would represent a major statement signing for City, arguing that the midfielder’s stamina, intelligence, and defensive awareness remain elite.
“This could be the signing of the season,” Saunders told talkSPORT.
“This is a big statement. I think Kanté is available. I think he’s been there long enough, and there are reasons why he may be able to move on. He could play for any team in the world.”
Saunders highlighted Kanté’s suitability for the defensive midfield role, praising his positional intelligence and ability to cover ground.
“That position he plays in — defensive midfield — he thinks like a defender and covers the ground.”
The former striker also dismissed concerns over Kanté’s age, suggesting the role does not demand excessive running and that the Frenchman’s athleticism has not declined significantly.
“What is he, 34? He should still be flying around the pitch. He wouldn’t have lost his pace yet. He’s got a great attitude.”
“Give him a one-year contract. If his legs have gone, fair enough — but you don’t have to run that much in that position.”
Saunders went on to claim that Kanté would fit seamlessly into Guardiola’s system and could still strengthen almost any Premier League side.
“He would fit into any team in the Premier League right now.”
In his closing remarks, Saunders placed Kanté among the very best defensive midfielders the game has seen, ranking him alongside Claude Makélélé and current Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
“I think he’s probably the best since Claude Makélélé in that position — and Rodri, obviously.”
While Saunders acknowledged that Arsenal may not need Kanté due to options such as Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, he believes every other club in the league should seriously consider signing him.
N’Golo Kanté’s Chelsea Career at a Glance
N’Golo Kanté enjoyed a remarkable seven-year spell at Chelsea, cementing his status as one of the finest midfielders of his generation.
Signed from Leicester City in 2016, fresh off a historic Premier League title win, Kanté immediately played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s league triumph during his debut season at Stamford Bridge. In doing so, he became the first outfield player since Eric Cantona to win consecutive English top-flight titles with different clubs.
Another standout chapter came during the 2020–21 season, where Kanté was instrumental in Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League success. He delivered dominant performances throughout the knockout stages, earning Man of the Match awards in both legs of the semi-final against Real Madrid and again in the final against Manchester City.
Across all competitions, Kanté made 269 appearances for Chelsea, recording 29 goal contributions and winning six major trophies before leaving the club in 2023.
The French international currently plays for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.
