Cesc Fabregas has praised his former Chelsea teammate N’Golo Kante following the midfielder’s unexpected return to the international stage.
Kante’s move to the Saudi Pro League had seemed to mark the end of his career with the French national team at 33.
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However, with the option to select a 26-man squad for Euro 2024, Didier Deschamps included Kante, a decision that has proven wise.
Kante was exceptional in France’s opening Group D victory over Austria, showcasing the battling qualities and tactical intelligence that defined his successful seven-year stint in the Premier League.
During their time together at Stamford Bridge, Fabregas greatly benefited from Kante’s selfless playing style, particularly in Chelsea’s last title-winning season.
Despite Kante’s renowned ability to regain possession and his tireless energy, Fabregas highlighted that his greatest quality lies elsewhere.
‘He’s a fantastic,’ Fabregas told the BBC ahead of France’s eagerly anticipated game against Netherlands.
‘I will always come short of good things to say about N’Golo. I mean what a player.
‘When he first came to Chelsea after winning the league with Leicester, tactically he was good but we saw him more as a corrector.
‘But the most important thing and most speical thing about him is the will to learn and the capacity to do it very fast and apply it on the pitch.’
Analysing Kante’s display against Austria, Fabregas observed: ‘This is typical N’Golo, recovering the ball and for me he improved a lot at this.
‘He shows how intelligent he is, recovering the ball and always playing forward one touch.
‘This gives you the change to get into transition very, very quickly. Other players take one too many touches and lose the moment.
‘This (running back to catch an opposition player), there is not one player in the world who can do that so well and so many times to save their team.
‘He is a diamond to have in the dressing room, really.’
