KING KANTE AVOIDS HANGOVER HAZARD
Double title-winner just keeps getting better
EDEN HAZARD went into reverse after being named PFA Player of the Year, but N’golo Kante has found another gear.
Kante’s heroics were a crucial factor in bringing the title to Stamford Bridge last season after leaving Leicester, with whom he won the title too. It saw the diminutive midfielder, 26, earn the acclaim of his peers as PFA Player of the Year. But, judging by his start to this campaign, there is no evidence of the plaudits going to Kante’s head. The Frenchman’s legendary energy and ball-winning prowess is well-known – especially at old club Leicester. But he is now carrying a bigger threat in the opponents’ final third too. Leicester players stood off Kante, when he got the ball 35 yards out, in the 50th minute at the King Power. He confidently took a touch to stride forward, before firing a low, right-foot shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. The goal means Kante has already matched his haul from both of the last two top-flight seasons. It also allayed fears he could emulate Belgium ace Hazard (above), who was crowned the Premier League’s best player when Chelsea took the title in 2015, only to lose his form the next term as Jose Mourinho was sacked. Blues boss Antonio Conte, who welcomed back Hazard as a late sub and was delighted with Kante’s display, said: “We are talking about two different players. Two different players but both very strong. “N’golo is very important for us – a top player. It was an amazing performance. He played a really fantastic game. “He scored but, overall, he made a lot of good runs. “He is always improving. I think now he is very good with the ball. “Before, a lot of people told me, ‘Yes, without the ball, he has good stamina and is a good worker’, but now with the ball he has improved a lot. “I am happy for this because we are working a lot with him. “To be the best player in the Premier League last season is a great thing. This season he is confirming it. “You must have the will to work and improve. Until the end of your career you can always improve.” The Foxes should be very familiar with Kante’s qualities but even City boss Craig Shakespeare admits shooting from long-range is a new skill. He said: “He’s not renowned for shooting and scoring from that distance but he did and we will rue that moment. “I’ve never seen him do that before.” Midfielder Kante underlined his class, both with his goal and his discreet celebration, as he showed respect for his former club. Kante said: “It is special to score against your old team and to help the team to win. “I spent an amazing year here but I wanted to respect the stadium, the fans and not to do too much with my celebration.” Kante’s goal put the Blues in the driving seat after Alvaro Morata (below) nodded in Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross before half-time to open the scoring. Chelsea, who left new-boy Danny Drinkwater on the bench after his switch from Leicester, appeared to be cruising at 2-0. But a foul by keeper Thibaut Courtois on Jamie Vardy enabled the striker to pull one back from the spot. It sparked a frenetic last half-hour but Chelsea hung on.