The Kante conundrum: Could Chelsea face losing their world-class midfielder?

Amid all of the talk of Eden Hazard's future, it is easy to forget that Chelsea are presently blessed with two truly world class footballers. For clarity, by that we mean two players who would find a space in absolutely any first XI in the world. The only problem is that N'Golo Kante is struggling to find useful space in his own side right now.

Sarri has rightly been lauded for reawakening the talent of Hazard. His game is almost made to fit the Belgian's talent and the new boss showed delight at the third goal in Sunday's 3-0 win at St Mary's - as well as the 31 passes which went into the build-up.

Hazard was again able to shine in that match. His strikes of late have been a thing of wonder and, implausibly, he remains on target for Sarri's seemingly outlandish claim of a possible 40-goal season. But, amid a slightly switched-up midfield (a mention here for a very impressive Ross Barkley), Kante's involvement was again minimal.

The Frenchman is the best midfield disruptor in the world. If you have the ball, and he wants it, things aren't going to end well for you. No matter who you might be. That little trick of his made him arguably the most important player in two consecutive Premier League winning sides: for Leicester, and for Chelsea.

Both of those, under Claudio Ranieri and Antonio Conte, played a brand of football which relied heavily upon the transition from defence to attack. And Kante was the conduit.

But the present manager's style, with its total reliance on continual possession, has no need for such a disruptor. Here the conduit is Jorginho, who spreads the play out from the back – breaking records for successful passes week after week. And Kante is reduced to a job as a mere tribute act: attempting to fill the role of a 'normal' midfielder in the final third of the pitch.

It is hardly his forte, and one has to wonder how long he will be content to continue with merely average performances: a square peg in a round hole.

The likely outcome is one we have all seen before and Paris Saint-Germain have long been courting the 27-year-old. With two-and-a-half years left on his contract, there may well come a time where his usefulness is eclipsed by the desire to recoup his value. And, while Kante would doubtless bring in a very good fee, the loss of the player – and the man – would be to the detriment of Chelsea's armoury of talent.

It is strange to say about a player so driven by discipline, but he needs setting free. Not in the sense that Hazard has this season been set free to terrorise defences and bag goal after goal. But, in a more literal sense: to play to his full potential in a system which appreciates his unique talent and ability.

The problem, of course, is that Sarri-ball will not be forever. While the Italian's start in London has been very impressive, the shelf life of a Chelsea manager is not especially long.

What price a version of events where Chelsea sell Kante, only to find themselves with a manager, and a system, which craves his presence two or three years down the line?

And if that is the cost of keeping Hazard happy in the here and now, and of letting their other truly world class player star shine, is it a price worth paying?