Chelsea have featured some of the world's best midfielders over the past couple decades, ranging, for example, from Premier League legends like Frank Lampard to world-class stars like later-career Michael Ballack to arguably the best there ever could've been were it not for cruel knees Michael Essien to let's name a tactical role after him Claude Makélélé.
While it's the latter to whom Chelsea new boy and Premier League champion N'Golo Kanté could be most readily compared — given that they're both French, both small, and both absolutely beyond tenacious — the most outstanding aspect of Kanté's Chelsea debut was his ridiculous (long-range) passing ability. Where did THAT come from? I didn't see THAT advertised on the tin!
Chelsea and AC Milan were, more or less, equaling out each other through the first 50 minutes of Wednesday's friendly. Then Antonio Conte introduced Kanté and Eden Hazard, and Chelsea proceeded to play Milan off the park. The duo's influence on the game was remarkable, and while we know what to expect from Hazard when he's on his game, Kanté's sparkling performance, of which the video really only does half justice, was one to restore a bit of faith in Chelsea's ability to improve enough to make a marked difference in our league position and allow the team to challenge for the top four.
Conte has hinted at a few more changes coming to the squad ahead of the season, but one thing is abundantly clear, N'Golo Kanté is going to make a difference.
.@ChelseaFC's new midfield man.
— adidas UK (@adidasUK) July 16, 2016
This season belongs to @nglkante. #FirstNeverFollows #X16 pic.twitter.com/o26ApSMpNX
Yep.