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‘Overlooked for Ballon d’Or’ – Chelsea legend Joe Cole names N’Golo Kante as Premier League player of season so far

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N’GOLO KANTE’S one of the best midfielders ever – even though he was overlooked for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, Joe Cole reckons.

Kante finished fifth in the rankings for the golden accolade behind Blues team-mate Jorginho who attained third spot – behind the winner of the award for the seventh time Lionel Messi.

Kante’s one of the best midfielders ever in the eyes of Joe ColeCredit: Instagram
Cole reckons Kante’s overlooked because he’s not as flashy as some playersCredit: BT Sport
N’Golo Kante’s been the heart of the Blues team ever since he joinedCredit: Getty

But the Ballon d’Or result didn’t sit well with Blues legend Cole who claimed that Kante’s one of the best midfielders he’s ever seen in action.

According to Cole, Kante’s greatness is overlooked because fans of the game tend to focus on players who light up the pitch with their dazzling skills and fancy goals while the French ace pulls the strings quietly.

But Cole believes the 30-year-old’s impact on the teams he’s played for has been outstanding over the years.

The 30-year-old French ace was instrumental in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph last season despite being injured for a long period of the campaign.

Which is why Cole chose Kante over his Blues pal Jorginho when asked who his best Premier League player pick of 2021 was by bookmakers Coral.

Jorginho won the European Footballer of the Year award following an impressive season for the Blues, but Cole thinks Kante outshone his colleague when they played in similar roles.

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And although he missed out on the Ballon d’Or, Kante will be compensated with a hoard of trophies before he retires – including the World Cup, Cole thinks.

Speaking in his latest vlog with Coral, Cole explained: “I’m going to go with a Chelsea player, having won the Champions League, and say N’Golo Kante. He was overlooked for the Ballon d’Or.

“I’ve watched him week in, week out and his influence on the team is outstanding.

“He has missed large chunks of the season through injury and he has been missed. When he has played, he has been outstanding.

“The run up to the Champions League last season, from the quarter-finals onwards, six out of seven games, including the final, he was the Man of the Match.

“Our eyes are always drawn towards the goalscorers and the technicians, but the influence that man has on his teams, is incredible.

“He’ll finish his career with a bucket load of trophies, including the World Cup, and I think he’s probably one of the most outstanding midfielders ever seen. And he got overlooked for the player of the year awards.

“When we talk Jorginho, he won the European Footballer of the Year and obviously had a great season as well. But N’Golo Kante, I feel he actually outperformed him in similar positions.”

Cole’s not the only ex-Blue who thinks Kante’s underappreciated for the work he puts in.

Blues icon John Terry insisted that Kante should win the Ballon d’Or before the winner was chosen last November.

He said: “I’d love to go see him win the Ballon d’Or or get the appreciation that I feel he deserves.”

Terry even claimed that Kante was like a whole team rolled into one, adding: “Kante’s like 11 players on his own.

“What he does, he goes so under the radar. He is such a top-class player.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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