Chelsea star N’Golo Kante is being tipped to win the Ballon d’Or after his stunning performance in their Champions League win over Man City.
The tireless midfielder was, as always, everywhere for Thomas Tuchel’s men on an incredible night for the club in Portugal as they won the trophy for a second time.
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He made five tackles, two interceptions, and two blocks against Pep Guardiola’s men, while only Reece James made more pressures as the French ace gave his all for the cause.
Does he ever give less?
It’s just the norm for the Kante and while it’s usually attacking aces who win the praise for winning major trophies, the ‘little giant’ is getting the plaudits for this victory.
Even former Tottenham star Jamie O’Hara reckons he should be a favourite to win football’s ultimate individual prize.
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“He was absolutely fantastic,” he told talkSPORT. “In my opinion he should be close to winning the Ballon d’Or because he’s had Man of the Match awards in pretty much every big game this season for Chelsea.
“He is absolutely awesome.
“You mention [Claude] Makelele, who, in my opinion, was one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all-time. I think N’Golo Kante has probably surpassed him.”
And the bookmakers agree with O’Hara, too.
2021 Ballon d'Or odds
All information from Betfair and correct on May 31, 2021
- Kylian Mbappe – 9/4
- Robert Lewandowski – 9/2
- N’Golo Kante – 5/1
- Lionel Messi – 7/1
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 10/1
- Kevin De Bruyne – 10/1
- Bruno Fernandes – 14/1
- Erling Haaland – 20/1
He’s ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the moment, with both having failed to win a league title this season.
Only Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski ahead of him in the running, according to odds.
Premier League stars Kevin De Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes are also considered rivals, along with Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Erling Haaland.
Chelsea hero Mario Melchiot was just as gushing with his praise of 30-year-old Kante.
He also opted to compare the midfielder to Makelele, his former teammate, but due to their style of play.
He said on Monday’s talkSPORT Breakfast: “Kante, oh my God. If you don’t like him, you don’t know anything about football.”
Melchiot added: “You know what I like about him? It’s a little bit what I had with Makelele. They are similar guys in the way they are built. I don’t want to say how they play because that’s me bringing in something that’s not necessary.
“Sometimes they walk next to you and they look like your little brother but the moment they put the kit on they become your big brother.
“I feel like Kante is something like that. You see this little guy you look at him and [think] ‘why would I be scared by a man like you?’ And then when you’re on the field with him you go like, ‘oh, this little man becomes a giant’ and he runs the show.
“Tuchel said it himself. He said, ‘I don’t want to start this game without him’, because he knows what he brings to the team.
“Arguably, we can talk about different kinds of players, Havertz scored a great goal, and stuff like that but who bring the balance to the team is always the leader and that why, for me, Kante is it.”
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