TalkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham claims Chelsea should sell N'Golo Kante to get a "big upgrade" in the shape of Declan Rice.
The Premier League giants were heavily linked with a move for the West Ham midfielder in the summer, but ultimately did not get a deal over the line.
After rumours which were subsequently denied by Chelsea about a falling out between Frank Lampard and Kante the issue was discussed by Durham on his drivetime show.
And despite Kante's status as a double Premier League champion and a World Cup winner with France, he insisted Rice would represent a better option.
Durham insisted: "They've been thinking about bringing in Declan Rice, they've been linked, Chelsea, with Declan Rice for a long time.
"I'm going to stick my head above the parapet to be shot down: I think that if you sell Kante and bring in Rice it's a big upgrade.
"This is somebody who can do Kante's job, and can go on the attack, and can use the ball quickly and well.
"So for me Declan Rice is an upgrade on N'Golo Kante.
"What I'm looking at is a top side trying to do stuff in Europe, and the Premier League as well - is N'Golo Kante too limited?
"Declan Rice does more than N'Golo Kante is what I'm saying."
As well as his two Premier League titles and World Cup medal Kante has tasted success in the FA Cup and Europa League, also reaching the final of Euro 2016 with Les Bleus.
He was given the Legion of Honour by his country after the 2018 World Cup, with the midfielder becoming a national hero for shackling Lionel Messi in a knockout clash with Argentina.
Rice has impressed since breaking through at West Ham and has been capped by both Ireland and England, with the 21-year-old named 'Hammer of the Year' in July.
