N’Golo Kante has been played further forward under Maurizio Sarri than under other managers, leading to more assists and goals than usual for the Frenchman.
Some have criticised his diminished defensive influence, but that’s not really been the case in this area:
he has more possession wins in the attacking third than any other player in the Premier League.
Kante has always been a ridiculous stat machine, way back to his time in France.
It was through checking his numbers in the French lower tiers that Leicester got wind of his skills, and along with Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, it was his mad tackling and interception numbers that helped the Foxes to the title.
N'Golo Kante: No player has won possession in the attacking third more times than @nglkante (22) in the Premier League this season
For more player stats — https://t.co/U4DV0XCHqs pic.twitter.com/SR0fUPp4zG
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) February 6, 2019
By starting the midfielder higher up the pitch, Maurizio Sarri’s system stops him helping out his defence as much,
but gives him the chance to nick the ball in more dangerous areas than ever.