Premier League Team of the Season 2017/18 predictions
By Tom Bogert
CM: N’Golo Kante /// Chelsea /// 2016/17: 35 apps, 89% pass, 4 defensive actions per game
Even with the center backs at times, Team of the Season always has a bias for attacking players. But Kante transcends that prejudice because of his incredible ability without the ball.
Kante changes how we look at a central midfielder. Can a small, skinny, athletic player line up at center mid instead of on the wing or fullback? Kante shows if they’ve got the ability, why not? He also showed that fans can understand the importance of a ball winner in the midfield, that even without scoring 15 goals a player’s value can be evident.
This season at Chelsea, he’ll make up an impregnable midfield shield next to Tiemoue Bakayoko, another French midfielder to come from Ligue 1.
There are many midfielders to choose from. The league is dense with central midfielders, but there must be a place in the side for Kante.
Looking back at his transfer fee last summer, he looks an absolute steal at £30 million. If Chelsea sold this summer, how much would he have gone for? In a world that Liverpool couldn’t get Naby Keita for £66 million, who knows how much Kante would be off for.