Mighty Kante a midfield machine
All-action hero has redefined midfield role
I think sometimes when I’m on the pitch I see him twice, one on the left, one on the right. I think he plays with a twin. Eden Hazard on N’Golo Kante, after Chelsea’s 2-1 win at West Ham on Monday
Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante is Bryan Robson, Roy Keane and Claude Makelele rolled into one. I’ve never seen a player like him. all action, all over the pitch.
When I asked steve Walsh, the leicester scout who signed him, to tell me their formation, he said: ‘Kante on the right, Drinkwater in the middle... and Kante on the left.’
I could see what he meant watching Chelsea at West ham on Monday and I can see what eden hazard meant with his ‘twins’ comment after the game. It’s as if Kante is in more than one place.
he targets areas where he senses danger, wherever that may be. he is like a fire fighter... he’s putting out fires all over the pitch — left, right, through the middle, in an advanced midfield position, or as a defensive anchorman.
Young players these days will say ‘I am a defensive midfielder’, but why do they do that? Kante is a midfielder. Not attacking, not defensive. I’ve never seen a player with so much energy, chasing lost causes and turning over possession. My advice would be: watch him, do not pigeonhole yourself as a defensive midfielder. Work on your all-round game.
When parents tell their children, ‘Watch Cristiano Ronaldo or lionel Messi’, that is unrealistic. What they should be doing is pointing them toward Kante’s showreel.
That’s what I have done for my eight-year-old son, Beau, who is a Chelsea junior. he met Kante recently — and they are almost the same height!
Kante is small, quiet and unassuming off the field, but when he walks on to the pitch, it’s as if he is wearing a cape. he is Chelsea’s Mighty Mouse. and it is your worst nightmare to play against him.
he is a modern- day phenomenon. Watching him makes me happy to be retired — imagine him closing you down for 90 minutes!