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Kante to stay at Chelsea unless he's forced out amid reported Real Madrid interest

N'Golo Kante remains keen to stay at Chelsea despite reports in the Spanish media linking him with a transfer to Real Madrid.

Kante has missed 20 of Chelsea's 42 games this season due to a host of injuries to his hamstring, knee and ankle, and concerns over his long-term fitness have seen Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho strike up a good partnership in his absence.

Meanwhile, Billy Gilmour's emergence and Ruben Loftus-Cheek's return from injury add to Lampard's options with Ross Barkley and Mason Mount also in the squad.

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Chelsea are also monitoring Lille's 21-year-old midfielder Boubakary Soumare but he currently ranks lower on the club's priority list than a left-back and another forward.