From an article released February 2017, Dan Levene heralded Chelsea’s successes to one man in particular, N’golo Kante.
In a sport where marginal gains bring much success, N’Golo Kante is the clear difference between champions and their chasers
It was a trivia question that came up in a Wolverhampton pub last weekend: who are the only two men to win a league title in two consecutive seasons, with two different clubs? (Answer later). N’Golo Kante, who had earlier in the evening been a sub for Chelsea as they stepped past Wolves in the FA Cup, could be set to join an auspicious shortlist come May.
During that cameo appearance, anyone watching will have seen a perfect example of what he adds to Chelsea. Without him, and with the young and raw Nathaniel Chalobah in an approximation of his role, Blues were at best rough and ready. That was not the fault of Chalobah, who was being offered vital work experience during one of the few opportunities to give it. But in watching what he did for 80 minutes, and then comparing it with what Kante achieved in just 10, we had a perfect example of the master at work.
Kante is Chelsea’s defining factor.
Referring to his quiet efficiency, both on and off the pitch, does not do him justice. The viewing public, almost regardless of club allegiance, is in awe at his work rate, his sense of purpose, and his ability to wrestle the ball from anything or anyone. That sense of wonderment has made him almost as all- pervading on social media as he is on pitch. Constantly, reference is made to ‘the Kante brothers’ in Chelsea’s midfield, or to how Antonio Conte sets up his side with a 3-5-3 formation featuring the pint-sized Frenchman on both the left and right in front of defence. His unassuming likeness, bizarrely sliced into thirds, is the football meme of 2017. it is almost as if Orwell’s 1984 has been re-written with Kante in the role of Big Brother: so ever-present is his likeness, wherever you look.
On watching him, it is tricky not to come to the conclusion he has found some cheat- code. It can appear like he has already watched the game on series-link, knows what his opponent is going to do, and has already worked out a strategy to deal with it. The answer to how Leicester City achieved what they did last season is likely to become one of those stock exam questions in years hence: up there with ‘name the factors that led to the outbreak of World War I’. The reality is that there are all manner of features which coincided, uniquely, to make magic happen in the east Midlands.
But, from this vantage point, it is possible to see the hole left by Kante in Claudio Ranieri’s side: and to know that there will have been few greater factors than this French midfield terrier.
Likewise, should Chelsea lift the trophy this season, the key factors will be many and various.
Much credit must go to Conte: for setting the system, the ambiance, the drive in place that were all absent last season. But, on-pitch, no factor will truly be more significant than Kante. If you’ve already worked out the answer to the opening question in this piece, you’ll know that it is possible to be a bit-part player in two consecutive triumphs with two different teams. But you will also know that the flip-side is that you can be a towering presence in both, the likes of whom generations to come will revere as a great of his time. Kante undoubtedly falls into the latter category.
And, if you haven’t worked it out: it was Eric Cantona (Leeds United 1992 and Manchester United 1993), and Mark Schwarzer (Chelsea 2015 and Leicester City 2016).
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