N’Golo Kante could be the new Claude Makelele at Chelsea

Last season French defensive midfielder N’Golo Kante was one of the top performers in the Premier League, as Leicester won the Premier League. Kante was a sensation in his debut campaign in the English top-flight. The midfielder recorded the highest rate of interceptions in the Premier League last season.

His performances have inevitably attracted attention from elsewhere with the likes of PSG, Real Madrid and Arsenal linked with a move for the 25-year-old star. Now according to the Guardian, Chelsea have submitted a bid of around £27million, with £3million in add-ons for the French star.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte will be looking to strengthen his squad ahead of the start of the Premier League campaign. Kante would no doubt be an excellent signing for the Blues.

In fact he is in some respects very similar to former-Chelsea star Claude Makelele, who refined the defensive midfield role in the noughties. Kante’s stature, tough-tackling and defensive discipline is all reminiscent of Makelele.

However, Kante is arguably more technically gifted than his older compatriot. He maybe also gets forward more than Makelele. Chelsea were woeful for much of last season and there are question marks over first choice defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic, who has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.

Kante would definitely have to be considered a very good alternative. Despite having only played in the English top-flight for one campaign, the former-Caen star is now regarded as one of the best players in his position in Europe.

If Chelsea does sign the defensive midfielder, the Conte and the Blues will have pulled-off quite a coup and the Blues defensive midfield options will have been improved immensely.