Eden Hazard put on a show Saturday, but he was hardly alone. In fact, Eden was asked after the match what he thought of N'Golo Kanté's performances and importance to Chelsea's prospects this season and beyond. Hazard likened the new signing to a rat, or a mouse as was later explained to Kanté.
Q: Mouse? - Kante: "Ah, mouse! I try to give my best for the team and if I have done well, I’m happy. I hope to keep playing this way."
— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) August 27, 2016
Obviously Eden doesn't mean "rat" in the same sense as certain Chelsea fans meant it last year in regards to "Mourinho-betrayer" Hazard himself. Instead, it's a compliment for Kanté's indefatigable running, relentless hassling, and superb passing.
Dyche: "Chelsea are almost a back five and a front five, with Kante then covering every inch of the pitch."
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) August 27, 2016
N'Golo Kanté, the difference maker.
That midfield trio looks decent btw. Something resembling consistency from Oscar & Nemanja's best game in 12+ months. Kanté is amazing.
— J. Tweedie (@JoeTweedie) August 27, 2016
regret not naming my firstborn N'Golo
— Graham MacAree (@MacAree) August 27, 2016