Lampard hails dynamic Kante

LONDON: N’golo Kante’s sublime performance in Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Monday’s FA Cup quarter-final prompted former England great Frank Lampard to dub him the best central midfielder in the world.

Kante – whose superb goal ended United’s hold on the trophy – escaped his opponents roughhouse treatment of playmaker Eden Hazard and allowed the 25year-old French international to dominate the encounter.

His performance left his French international team-mate and the world’s most expensive footballer, United’s Paul Pogba, chasing shadows and at the receiving end of more criticism.

Kante, though, had former Chelsea midfield legend Lampard positively purring.

“I’d go as far to say that he’s (Kante) the best central midfield player in the world on current form, I really would,” Lampard told the BBC.

“Looking at the way he’s performing this year, he may not be scoring lots of goals but what he’s giving to the team in the way he’s playing, the driving force that he is, I cannot see anyone else out there in world football better than him at the moment.”

Former England and Barcelona striker Gary Lineker tweeted if Kante became a more regular goalscorer then he would be the undisputed number one.

“Bloody hell, if Kante starts scoring goals as well he’ll become the best midfield player ever,” tweeted Lineker.

Former England captain Alan Shearer said for his money there would be no competition when it comes to handing out the two player of the year awards.

“I think you’re looking at the Football Writers’ Player of the Year and the PFA Player of the Year,” Shearer told the BBC.

“We are not used to him scoring too many goals but he was absolutely superb, he was all over the park as usual.

“When United did get the ball back he was straight at them and getting it for Chelsea.”

Kante, who has proved an unqualified success since Chelsea paid £30million (RM162 million) to champions Leicester who have equally felt his loss keenly, outshone