N’GOLO KANTE is on course to break the trend and win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, despite not being an attacker.
The French destroyer was excellent for Leicester last season, and has carried that form on with Chelsea this term.
Moreover, he is loved by everyone.
Kante is one of those footballers it’s just difficult to dislike — and his status was cemented when he turned up to cheer on his former club against Sevilla.
Here are 11 reasons why he is everyone’s favourite player.
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He’s vital for every team he’s played for
Kante was key for Leicester, then for France and now for Chelsea.
Since joining the Foxes, he has known almost nothing but success.
The only time he didn’t win was with his country, when they finished runners-up at Euro 2016.
There’s no fuss
Kante works hard for 90 minutes, goes home — and probably just sleeps.
He is the epitome of the hardworking footballer.
Even his summer move to Chelsea came without a transfer saga of any kind, despite interest from several major clubs in Europe.
He was the key to Leicester miracle
Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez may have scooped up the player of the year awards — and most of the plaudits.
But it is clear now who the key element was.
Since Kante’s departure, Leicester have been miles away from their title-winning side.
He was even present for Foxes’ best result this season
His influence lives on.
It’s been a difficult season for the Foxes, but that win over Sevilla was something special.
And Kante was there to witness it — just his mere presence drew a better performance from the players.
That smile
He enjoyed Leicester’s win.
Despite not being part of the team, or even the Champions League this season, he was clearly happy.
A beaming smile covered his face, and how could anyone not fall in love with that?
He DEFINITELY didn’t turn on Ranieri
The sacking of Claudio Ranieri was sad news for everyone — and looked especially bad on the Leicester players.
Vardy, Mahrez and Co. had stolen the hearts of many with their fairytale, but it has all been a little tainted with reports they turned on their beloved manager.
However, Kante’s reputation is completely intact, given he is 100 per cent innocent of involvement in any such mutiny.
He doesn’t seek the limelight
What does Kante do off the field?
He’s rarely even seen shopping.
In fact, the only time most of us have even seen him not on a football pitch was when he was picking up awards or cheering on his former club.
He’s only had one hairstyle
Comparisons with Paul Pogba were always going to come given their both French midfielders.
But Kante cost a third of the price and has comfortably outshone his compatriot this season.
On top of that, while Pogba is constantly posting pictures of himself at the barbers on social media, the Chelsea man has just shaved his hair off.
He was unheard of two years ago
It’s always heartwarming when a player comes from nowhere to become a star.
With social media making football so global, it’s rare to not have heard of a future idol at the age of 16 these days.
But Kante was at Cannes in 2015, at 24, an age at which many are already billed as legends within the game.
He only scores against Manchester United
If you don’t support them, you hate them.
And there are certainly many who enjoy seeing the Red Devils lose.
Kante has netted just twice for Chelsea this season — and both have been brilliant goals against United.
He will make history this season
No player has ever won the Premier League back-to-back with different clubs.
But Kante could be the first having won it with Leicester and will surely do it again with Chelsea.
And it’s no coincidence — he has been superb for both.
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