N’Golo Kante: The Quietly Dominant Figure of the Premier League

It might be a bit of a stretch to suggest Gary Lineker is some sort a prophet, but in a year in which the crisp-selling former England striker has been everything from voice of the left to leader of the opposition, maybe it’s fine for us to give him one more title.

It was back in June when Leicester City’s most high-profile fan gave the short assessment that went against the odds from the bookmakers but looks rather prescient six months on. “Inevitably Kante has gone,” Lineker posted on Twitter as N’Golo Kante’s move from Leicester to Chelsea was confirmed. “Fancy Chelsea will now win the title. He’s that good!”

With Kante aboard, Chelsea haven’t yet won the title but they have stormed to top of the league by a distance at Christmas. In the last 12 Premier League seasons, the team that has led all comers while putting out the fairy lights has gone on to lift the trophy on nine occasions, or 75 per cent of the time. Few would bet against the Blues right now making it 10 from 13. 

Chelsea have been top of the Premier League at Christmas four times.And they’ve ended up winning it every time. pic.twitter.com/wMQFXheaF8

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) December 20, 2016

Equally striking is the impact of Kante’s departure at his old club. While he’s been off taking a previously struggling outfit to the top of the table, his old lot have changed from table-toppers to a struggling outfit.

It was always unrealistic to expect Leicester to mount a strong title defence, but it wasn’t unrealistic to expect more than this: 15th place, four wins from 17 games, three points above the relegation zone and with just one win in their last eight. That sole victory was an impressive demolition of Manchester City, sure, but it was sandwiched between defeats to Sunderland and Bournemouth.  

Of course, there are myriad reasons for Chelsea’s success and Leicester’s falling off a cliff. At Stamford Bridge, you could point to everything from Antonio Conte’s impact and a suddenly unbreakable 3-4-3, to the return of David Luiz and the removal of a toxic atmosphere. North at the King Power, most would cite a tactical template that’s now been worked out, difficulties bedding in new faces, a tougher schedule than before and the impact of an emotional hangover.

Kante, then, isn’t the sole reason here. But the fortunes of Leicester and Chelsea with and without him are no …

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com