Kante was a formidable presence in our midfield between 2016 and 2023. His reading of the game was unparalleled, and his speed across the ground and timing of the tackle made him the world’s best defensive midfielder for a sustained period.

He had more to his game, though, with an eye for a pass, an ability to lead counter-attacks, and a happy knack of popping up with goals in big games or at big moments. Here we celebrate Kante’s wonderful Chelsea career by reminiscing about five of his best individual displays…

Opening his Blues account in style

Kante’s assimilation to life at Chelsea after signing from Leicester was completed when he scored his first goal for the club. It put the seal on a fantastic 4-0 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in October 2016.

Kante played a pass to Cesar Azpilicueta in the middle of the park before deciding to continue his run, latching on to Pedro’s clever flick around the corner. Facing up to two Man United defenders on the edge of the box, he feigned to shoot with his left but instead darted to his right and between Chris Smalling and Paul Pogba. The finish that followed, rolled across David de Dea, was typically precise and perfectly weighted.

The joy with which the goal was met highlighted just how popular Kante had already become with team-mates and the Chelsea fans, and the quality of his display that day was a sign of things to come as we romped to the Premier League title.

Cup final masterclass

Shortly after being voted the Chelsea Player of the Year for 2018, Kante added collective silverware to his individual prize. In the FA Cup final against Manchester United, Kante was pivotal to keeping the Reds at arm’s length. He also set up a glorious chance for Marcos Alonso to double our lead.

On a hot Wembley afternoon, Kante stifled numerous attacks, winning a game-high six tackles and also chipping in with four interceptions. Those impressive statistics came at the climax of a long season in which he recorded the highest figures for interceptions per game in the Premier League, and ranked third for successful tackles.

‘Winning the FA Cup means a lot,’ he said after picking up his third piece of silverware in English football. ‘It was a beautiful moment, and a team effort. We suffered together.’

As always, it was Kante who led by example in suffering for the benefit of the collective.

Dominating midfield (despite a dead leg)

Kante had not long returned from injury when we took on Champions League winners Liverpool in the 2019 Super Cup in Istanbul.

You wouldn’t have known it. In a fast and furious encounter that went the distance, Kante was outstanding in our midfield, a ‘superb, bustling presence that set the tone for Chelsea’, as TheGuardian put it.

Kante played four key passes and completed a remarkable nine dribbles, comfortably a game-high figure, as he blended his destructive and offensive qualities in some style.

‘He’s not trained that much,’ head coach Frank Lampard admitted after the match.

‘We’ve had to protect him because he’s had four years where he’s played and played and played. He said to me at half-time of extra-time that he was finished, his legs were dead, and then the next thing he’s sprinting 50 yards again!’

The Independent was glowing in its praise of his performance as he caused Liverpool no end of problems during the game.

‘Kante danced between the lines, shapeshifting from one end of the field to another in a frenzied scamper that seemed to mark Liverpool’s midfield trio all at once,’ stated its report. It perfectly summarised the impact N’Golo had that night.

Kante the creator

The best of Kante’s attacking instincts were on display as we defeated Real Madrid 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to book our place in the 2021 Champions League final.

Kante, clearly the game’s outstanding player on a pitch littered with star names, had a big hand in both our goals from his position roaming in the inside-right channel. For the first, a pair of clever touches took two Real Madrid players out of the equation. After linking up with Timo Werner, Kante cutely slipped in Kai Havertz. His effort hit the bar, but Werner was on hand to nod in the rebound.

Chelsea restricted Real Madrid to very little, partly due to Kante, who ‘picked away at, then finally unravelled the Madrid midfield’, as the Guardian put it. He did miss one of several good chances Chelsea created to double our advantage, but made up for it by starting the move which killed the tie.

Even with five minutes left, he had the energy and wherewithal to seize on a loose ball in midfield. Biding his time, he picked out Christian Pulisic to his right, and the American squared for Mason Mount to confirm our place in club football’s showpiece event.

The best of the best

We knew heading to Porto that if we were to lift the Champions League for the second time in our history, we would need Kante at his best. Happily, he was!

Chelsea were the more threatening team going forward up until Havertz put us ahead against Man City. Thereafter, the focus turned to dogged defensive play to keep the free-scoring Citizens at bay. Kante was in his element.

The Frenchman played a massive role in our ability to win back possession all over the pitch. Through tackles and interceptions, Kante won the ball more times than anyone else (10), all without giving away a single foul. More surprisingly, given his stature, Kante also won more aerial duals than any other Chelsea player, showing just how determined he was to claim every single ball.

Just as in both legs of the semi against Real, Kante was named UEFA’s official Player of the Match. In his post-match media conference, captain Cesar Azpilicueta was asked if there was a better player in the world right now than Kante.

‘The straightforward answer is no,’ Azpi replied. ‘He does everything. The energy he brings. The way he drives forward and covers so much ground. It’s special to have him.’

That is a sentiment echoed by all Chelsea fans who had the pleasure of watching such a clever, combative and creative midfielder represent the club with such distinction.