Chelsea

Claude Makelele: 'Every manager would want N'Golo Kante'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 07 October 2017

Chelsea legend Claude Makelele hails compatriot N'Golo Kante as the "complete midfielder" and believes that every manager in world football would love to have him.

Former Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele has said that he believes every manager in world football would like to have N'Golo Kante in their ranks.

Kante has played an integral role in back-to-back title-winning teams for Leicester City and Chelsea respectively, with his performances last term earning him the PFA and FWA Footballer of the Year awards.

The 26-year-old's style has often seen him compared to Makelele, whose effectiveness in the middle of the park led to the position being commonly named after him, and the former France international believes that his compatriot is now the "complete midfielder".

"He enjoys the job. He plays for his teammates. He's not selfish. Every manager in the world wants a player like that in his team," Makelele told the Evening Standard.

"He produces the quality with his plays and his runs but that's not all, he does the defensive work too. He has got everything a complete midfielder has. He is the perfect fit for the system Conte has put on the pitch."

Chelsea are in action against Crystal Palace next weekend, although Kante could be a doubt for that match having picked up a hamstring injury on international duty.