Kante was a real force to be reckoned with on the day
While N’Golo Kante has performed assiduously irrespective of the managers he’s played under, the Frenchman has been back at his endearing best since Thomas Tuchel has taken over. With the German preferring to deploy Kante in his traditional midfield role, Kante has once again revelled us in a string of endearing displays.
The Frenchman has been exceptional for the club across the last couple of months. His unnerving and diligent work ethic was on show once again with the midfielder putting in a sensational shift when the club took on Atletico Madrid.
Running rings around the Spanish club, Kante clobbered any attacking play Atletico Madrid tried to transpire against him. Not only did he put in a place of tackles and blocks but also recovered the ball sublimely well to safeguard Chelsea’s backline.
Kante Scripts Chelsea’s Second Goal
Another key feature of his game was his ball handling abilities with Kante not just doing the dirty work at the back but turning over possession from defence to attack as well. One moment in particular which won us over was his searing run in the 94th moment as he blazed his way past Atletico Madrid’s defence.
An integral part of Chelsea’s second goal on the night, Kante embarked on an electric run from inside his own side of the pitch. It was an intelligent piece of movement from the midfielder, one which drew Atletico Madrid’s defenders towards him to leave Emerson open in acres of space.
It saw the fullback become the recipient of Pulisic’s pass, one Emerson slotted in coolly into Oblak’s net to seal Chelsea’s passage into the quarter-finals.
Tuchel Besotted By Kante
Tuchel was quick to laud Kante’s display on the night as he crooned accoladed the player’s way.
I never know the age of my players just from performance. If you play with N’Golo you have half a man more because he has a volume that is simply outstanding. It is a big gift for me, a guy so, so humble and a big helper on the pitch. Don’t underestimate his quality.
