N’GOLO KANTE “wouldn’t have lasted a minute” against the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard or Roy Keane.
That is according to Joey Barton, who claimed the level of quality in the Premier League has “gone down” in recent years.
N’Golo Kante has made 19 appearances in the Premier League this seasonCredit: Rex Features
Kante won the league with Leicester before he made the move to Stamford Bridge in 2016.
He became the first player to win successive Premier League titles with two different clubs.
The midfielder, who is a fan favourite at Chelsea, also won the World Cup with France in 2018.
But Barton does not think Kante should be compared to any of the Premier League greats.
Speaking on the Robbie Fowler’s podcast, he said: “Some people think the level of the Premier League has gone up. I think it’s gone down.
“I had a discussion the other day about who we’ve played against. Your (Frank) Lampards, (Steven) Gerrards, (Michael) Essiens, (Paul) Scholes, (Patrick) Vieiras, (Roy) Keanes. The creme de menthe of midfielders.
“They talk to me now about N’Golo Kante being an enforcer. I’ve played against N’Golo Kante.
“He wouldn’t have lasted a minute. They were all 6ft4 machines.”
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Steven Gerrard played for Liverpool from 1998 until 2015Credit: PA:Press Association
Frank Lampard is Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer with 211 goals to his nameCredit: PA:Press Association
Barton, 38, appeared on the podcast to discuss his hugely controversial career.
He lifted the lid on his infamous training ground bust-up with former City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.
Barton left Fleetwood Town last month following a bust-up with the club’s chairman over transfers.
He claimed he paid backroom staff out of his own pocket and even offered to fund the wages of goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler.
Joey Barton in action against Chelsea midfielder N’Golo KanteCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel to unleash N’Golo Kante in new ‘double six’ role
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
