N'Golo Kante - A 'golden battery'!

(Baonghean.vn) - Leicester City's coach Ranieri once said: "Kante is the battery of the team. When Kante is on the field, we are like playing with 12 men." N'Golo Kante is still demonstrating this brilliantly now that he has joined Chelsea.

Under manager Conte, the French player became one of the key "links" that helped Chelsea become more stable during their triumphant run to the Premier League title this season.

N'Golo Kante isn't the type of player who displays artistic flair on the pitch, drawing gasps of admiration. His "battery" simply burns brightly in his role as a crucial defensive midfielder. He possesses tireless running, readily taking the lead in ball challenges, effectively intercepting opponent attacks, recovering the ball, and initiating attacks quickly and accurately.

Kante was the "battery" that helped Leicester win the title last season. Photo: Internet

Would Leicester have created a "fairy tale" last season, or would Chelsea have achieved their current successes, if Kante hadn't been there? Clearly, the solid, deep defensive play and sharp counter-attacks of Leicester last season and Chelsea this season both bear the mark of Kante.

The statistics from last season compared to this season for Leicester and Chelsea further clarify this. Specifically: Last season, Leicester won the title while conceding only 36 goals, the same as Arsenal and just one more than Tottenham, the team with the fewest goals conceded in the Premier League; meanwhile, Chelsea were dethroned due to defensive errors. The London team finished in 10th place and conceded a staggering 53 goals.

What about this season? Interestingly, the Premier League is witnessing a change of leadership between these two "kings." Chelsea are gaining the upper hand in the title race, while Leicester have become the reigning champions with the worst record in Premier League history. This is due to the influence of many subjective and objective factors. But no one can deny that Kante left an irreplaceable void at King Power Stadium, and his arrival at Stamford Bridge, along with Conte, has created a new milestone.

Kante continues to showcase his outstanding abilities at Stamford Bridge. Photo: Internet

That's right, the £30 million from the Kante deal wasn't enough to put Leicester in the ranks of the big clubs. In fact, they've almost lost everything in the Premier League, with players who shone last season like Vardy and Mahrez now just shadows of their former selves amidst utter disappointment. After 24 rounds, they've only managed 5 wins, 6 draws, and 13 losses, conceding a staggering 41 goals.

Clearly, looking at the league table, no one would think Leicester City are the reigning champions of the most exciting league on the planet. Ultimately, this is simply because they failed to keep Kante at King Power.

Conversely, Kante's presence has been one of the key factors in helping Chelsea regain their "big club" status. He helped Matic revive strongly, becoming the best, most solid, and most mobile defensive shield in the Premier League this season.

After 24 rounds, Chelsea are one of the two teams with the fewest goals conceded, with only 17 goals, one more than Tottenham. Not only does he decimate the opposing midfield, but he also moves like a shuttle, either supporting or directly participating in attacks. His stunning goal against Man Utd in the first leg of this season is the clearest evidence of the inspiration that Kante possesses.

However, Kante has never been a media sensation. Most recently, Kante was once again overshadowed by teammate Eden Hazard, who appeared on the front page of most newspapers thanks to his "Maradona-style" solo run in the victory against Arsenal. However, it's worth noting that Chelsea wouldn't have been able to hold their ground without Kante's outstanding performances in tackles, interceptions, and initiating counter-attacks.

The Premier League title this season is practically decided for Chelsea, with Kante playing a key role. (Image: Internet)

It could be said that manager Conte's tactical revolution of the 3-4-3 formation has turned Chelsea into a winning machine. But in reality, they had already succeeded from the start with the arrival of Kante. Chelsea will win the championship! It's already decided. The Player of the Year award might go to either Hazard or Costa in attack. But they will certainly have to give Kante a special thank you. Because he is the "golden battery" that has created a solid foundation and fueled their brilliance.

Kim Thuy