N'Golo Kanté ( Part2 )

N'Golo Kanté continued to play a crucial role for Chelsea, signing a new five-year contract on 23 November 2018 and becoming the club's highest-paid player. During this period, he contributed significantly to Chelsea's success.In the 2018–19 season, Kanté scored vital goals for Chelsea, including the first goal in a 2–1 EFL Cup semi-final second-leg win against Tottenham Hotspur. He marked his 300th club appearance with a goal in a 2–2 home draw against Burnley. Despite not being fully fit, Kanté started in the 2018–19 Europa League final, where Chelsea defeated Arsenal 4–1.


The 2019–20 season saw Kanté facing challenges with injuries, but he made impactful contributions when fit. He scored against Liverpool in a 1–2 loss at Stamford Bridge and marked his 150th Chelsea appearance with a goal against Manchester City in a 1–2 away defeat.In the 2020–21 season, Kanté played a pivotal role in Chelsea's Champions League campaign. He impressed in the Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion and reached his 200th appearance for the club on 23 February 2021. Kanté was instrumental in Chelsea's journey to the Champions League final, earning praise for his performances against Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid. He won his first UEFA Champions League title with Chelsea, defeating Manchester City 1–0 in the final.


For his outstanding performances during the 2020–21 season, Kanté was named the UEFA Men's Midfielder of the Year on 26 August 2021. Despite being shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or, he remained modest, viewing it as a result of the team's season rather than an individual achievement.Kanté faced a positive COVID-19 test in September 2021, requiring him to self-isolate. In February 2022, he played a crucial role in Chelsea's FIFA Club World Cup triumph, securing a 2–1 win over Palmeiras. However, in August 2022, Kanté suffered a hamstring injury during a match against Tottenham Hotspur, sidelining him until April 2023.

International career

Born to Malian parents, Kanté was approached by Mali ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, having not participated in any of France's youth teams. Kanté rejected the offer, stating that he was still striving to make a name for himself in Ligue 1. In January 2016, Mali extended another invitation to Kanté, but he remained undecided about which national team to represent if France were to invite him.


Kanté received his first call-up to the France senior squad for friendlies against the Netherlands and Russia. He debuted against the Netherlands, entering the game at half time in a 3–2 victory. Celebrating his 25th birthday on 29 March, Kanté earned his first start and scored in a 4–2 win over Russia at the Stade de France.During Euro 2016, Kanté played a pivotal role for France. In the opening match against Romania, he made the most passes, tackles, interceptions, covered the most distance, and assisted Dimitri Payet's winning goal in a 2–1 victory. Despite picking up a yellow card in the round of 16 match against the Republic of Ireland, Kanté was suspended for the quarter-final. France ultimately lost in the final to Portugal.


Kanté was named in the 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He played in all 7 matches, earning Man of the Match in a 0–0 draw against Denmark and starting in France's 4–2 triumph over Croatia in the final.In May 2021, Kanté was included in the France squad for UEFA Euro 2020. He played in the group stages but missed the semifinal and final of the 2021 Nations League due to contracting COVID-19.Unfortunately, Kanté sat out the 2022 FIFA World Cup due to a serious hamstring injury, marking his absence from the tournament.

A dynamic, petite, and disciplined athlete, Kanté is celebrated for his tireless energy and exceptional ball-winning skills as a box-to-box midfielder stationed in the heart of the field. His relentless work rate, coupled with strong positional sense and off-the-ball movement, contributes to his ability to read the game effectively. Renowned for his tactical awareness, intelligence, and defensive prowess, Kanté excels in tackling, regaining possession, intercepting passes, and blocking shots. Beyond his defensive capabilities, he showcases playmaking skills from deep within his own half, efficiently initiating counter-attacks immediately after winning the ball. His quick movements up and down the pitch often involve late attacking runs into the box.


Considered a late bloomer, Kanté had only made one senior appearance in the second tier of French football by the age of 21. He attributes his calm and composed demeanor on the pitch to his gradual ascent through three levels in the football league pyramid.Kanté draws inspiration from Lassana Diarra and Claude Makélélé, frequently compared to the latter, but emphasizes his unique style and approach to the game. Described as a "false four," "relayeur," "carrilero," and "mezzala," he fulfills the "dirty work" responsibilities, including running, fetching, and regaining possession. Despite not necessarily enjoying his role, Kanté finds satisfaction in recovering the ball and protecting his team from opponents' attacks. He achieved the highest number of tackles in Europe's top leagues in consecutive seasons and, in his first 150 Premier League appearances, accumulated 92 wins, 28 losses, and 10 goals without receiving a red card.


Under Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri, Kanté was positioned in a more advanced midfield role, showcasing effectiveness in possession and ball-carrying duties, reminiscent of his role at Leicester. In 2021, under Tuchel, he was reinstated in a "double six" holding midfield role, primarily on the right-hand side, often partnered with Jorginho or Mateo Kovačić. Kanté proved effective in disrupting opponents' possession play in the final third and initiating swift counter-attacks from the midfield.

References

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3. ^ Charles, Andy (21 May 2018). "Alexandre Lacazette and Anthony Martial on standby for France World Cup squad and Dimitri Payet out". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
4. ^ "N Golo Kante". FIFA. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
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8. a b Odetokun, Elijah (11 October 2021). "N'golo Kanté: see why he will get a medal for a match he did not play". ElFutbolero. Archived from the original on 13 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
9. ^ "Sources: France star Kante to miss World Cup". ESPN.com. 14 October 2022. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
10. ^ Fifield, Dominic (7 March 2017). "Chelsea have the look of an unstoppable force thanks to N'Golo Kanté". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
11. a b c d Bull, JJ (8 April 2016). "Why N'Golo Kante is the best midfielder in the Premier League". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022.