HERE WE N’GOLO AGAIN
Kante has enjoyed unparalleled success with Leicester, Chelsea and France... but he says that all means nothing for the new season and it’s back to ground zero
HE has won the World Cup, back-to-back Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and reached the Euro 2016 final in just three incredible years.
Yet humble hero N’Golo Kante reckons his past successes count for nothing and he is starting from “zero” again this season, which is fuelling his desire to win more trophies. The Chelsea midfielder has enjoyed a dream period in his career that would be hard for any player in world football to top, since joining Leicester City for a bargain £5.6million in 2015. He was a pivotal figure in the Foxes’ title success in his debut season in England and repeated the Premier Leaguewinning trick the following year after making a £32m move to Chelsea. His Leicester form earned him France international recognition, but his first major tournament, Euro 2016, ended in a final defeat to Portugal on home soil. After helping Chelsea win last season’s FA Cup, Kante played a crucial role in Les Bleus’ march to World Cup glory in Russia. The man who arrived in English football as a virtual unknown is now considered one of the world’s best defensive midfielders.
But Kante, 27, said: “It’s a new season, we all start from zero again, and that is the way our job is.
“Whatever you did in the past is quickly forgotten. We all have to go again and prove we are worthy of our position. So, yeah, hopefully, I am able to do that again.”
Anchorman Kante was one of the stars of the tournament in Russia, but had to be almost forced into the spotlight by his France teammates to receive the praise he deserved.
That sums up the star, who insists he is the fortunate one and not the clubs, country, or fans he plays for.
“We are lucky to be playing football for a living. For me, this is what I have always wanted to do. To get to this level is all down to Allah’s blessing,” he said.
“There are millions of people out there who every day want to get the opportunity to do the work we are doing and it’s a short career. That is why I give it my all at every given opportunity.
“I am lucky to get the opportunity to play for France and that alone is a huge motivation for me whenever I go on the pitch.
“To represent one’s own country is one of the biggest achievements a footballer can get.
“To play for your nation on the world stage is worth more than money can ever buy, and I get to do that, so I am very fortunate.
“To win the World Cup in our colours was beyond my dreams and something I will never, ever forget.
“To be able to be part of that group will stay with us until the end of our lives because we know what winning the World Cup means to us.”
Kante had three weeks off to celebrate France’s second World Cup victory before returning to Stamford Bridge but, typically, getting straight back down to work was never far from his thoughts.
A new era is beginning in west London under Antonio Conte’s successor Maurizio Sarri (left), but it is the same old Kante who has returned.
The Frenchman, who scored a rare goal in Chelsea’s 3-0 season-opening win at Huddersfield, added: “Now the system is something different, especially the way we play now.
“So, even during the holidays, we were thinking and talking about how to adapt. It will require a lot of sacrifice from us all, so that is why I have to continue moving forward as a player.
“I have worked with different managers in the past and different systems.
“The best way to always keep your position (in the team) is to remain focused and have the same attitude towards everyone.
“So that is what I am going to try to do again this season.”