“Crazy comeback”: From 51 position last season checkout where Kante ranks in tacklers position this season in the PL
Chelsea won the Premier League under Antonio Conte in the 2016-17 season, and one of the high points of that season was N’Golo Kante’s performance in the middle of the park. Kante was also brilliant in the previous season with Leicester City.
However, Chelsea fans didn’t seen the best of Kante in the past two seasons, as he was played in a more advanced midfield role. However, Frank Lampard has now decided to return Kante to his natural defensive midfield role this term, and he’s now back being the best tackler in the league.
Unsurprisingly, he was in 51st position last season and 20th two seasons ago under Maurizio Sarri.
Check out Kante’s rank in the Premier League over the past five seasons for tackles and interceptions combined:
2015-16: 1st
2016-17: 2nd
2017-18: 2nd
2018-19: 20th
2019-20: 51st
2020-21: 1st
Following Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Newcastle United on Saturday, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard revealed he has so much faith in N’Golo Kante.
“I know what you mean by quietly influential but he’s much more than that for us,” Lampard said. “Last year he missed 50 per cent of the games with injuries, he had a tough time for different reasons and we are working very hard on that to get him fit and fresh.
“Now we are managing his training and game time, but his levels of performances are really high.
“I keep saying every time I get asked about N’Golo that I have so much faith in him and the top midfield player that he is in world football.
“Not just breaking up and winning balls back, as we know that is a huge quality of his, but his passing and supporting in midfield and playing in that deeper role now has been a very comfortable transition for him. Really, really happy with him.”