Martin Keown has insisted that N’Golo Kante is a “winner” and he will be key for Chelsea both in the FA Cup final and Champions League final.
Kante made his name in English football with Leicester City in 2015/16. He was pivotal as the Foxes pulled off a major shock by winning the Premier League title.
The midfielder moved to Chelsea for £32m that summer and he has continued to shine since then. He has already won the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League with the Londoners.
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Kante has also been successful at international level as he won the World Cup with France in 2018.
The 30-year-old is playing some of the best football of his career at the moment. He was vital as Chelsea beat Real Madrid to book their place in the Champions League final.
Keown has been full of praise for Kante in his latest column for The Daily Mail ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final.
“Thomas Tuchel knows how important N’Golo Kante is.
“The midfielder with a twin-engine loves a big occasion. He was man of the match in both legs of their Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid.
“Chelsea’s second goal in their 2-0 home win over Real was down to Kante as he sprinted in anticipation of winning a second ball. He won possession, Mason Mount scored and Chelsea were confirmed as Champions League finalists.
“Kante is a winner. He’s won trophies for Leicester, Chelsea and the World Cup with France. His first league start for Leicester, against Bournemouth in 2015, saw him win 10 tackles — six more than anyone else on the pitch.
“Claudio Ranieri soon recognised his value as a No 6. Kante ended up making the most tackles and interceptions of any Premier League player as Leicester won the title that season.
“Tuchel is now using him to excellent effect in a midfield two. Maurizio Sarri rushed Kante back to win the Europa League final two years ago because of how influential he can be.
“Tuchel rested Kante for ‘pain management’ in midweek. But he will want him back and firing on all cylinders for Saturday’s Cup final. Then definitely for the Champions League final in two weeks’ time.”
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