Chelsea star N’Golo Kante better than Claude Makelele – according to team-mate and fellow midfielder Nemanja Matic
Serb reckons Antonio Conte's £30m summer signing is a better player than the legendary Stamford Bridge anchorman
NEMANJA MATIC has made a bold claim by stating that N’Golo Kante is a better player than Chelsea legend Claude Makelele.
The former Leicester star has made a flying start to life at Stamford Bridge, helping his side win all three of their Premier League games so far.
Despite playing as a central midfielder during the Foxes’ incredible title run, Kante has been deployed as an anchorman by Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.
The tactical tweak has allowed Matic to sit further forward alongside playmaker Oscar and has paid dividends, with Kante’s pace and aggression providing excellent cover for John Terry and Gary Cahill.
The France international has inevitably been compared to Blues icon Makelele, who won two titles, two league cups and an FA Cup during his five years in west London.
But Matic reckons Kante is a step above his compatriot, explaining the midfielder’s technique and composure on the ball adds an extra dimension to his overall game.
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Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Swansea on Sunday, Matic told : “He is very important for us, especially in that position. You have to give balance to the team and he knows how he needs to do that job. He is very important for us.
“I know how difficult it is to play that position and I’m very happy because N’Golo is doing very well and is going to be a very important player for us, maybe one of the most important players in this season.
“It is very hard for him and it’s going to be hard, but I’m sure that he is ready. Many people say that he is the new Makelele, but I don’t think so.
“Makelele was a great player and we all respect him, me especially. But I think that N’Golo is better than him. He is doing his defensive job very well and with the ball he has some extra quality.”