Kante and Matic in unison

N’Golo Kante may have been quick to quash any comparison between himself and Claude Makelele, but his performance against AC Milan suggests Chelsea have signed another pivotal midfield anchor, writes Pete Hall.

In the first-ever match at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Chelsea signed off their International Champions Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory, but it was anything but plain sailing. The game proved to be a real spectacle for the bumper crowd, with both sides’ vulnerable-looking defences contributing to the excitement in the opening 45 minutes.

With the score 1-1 at the interval, Conte elected to stick with his 4-4-2 and starting XI for the second half, but quickly changed his mind, with the Blues still looking fragile.  

It was time for a new system and the introduction of £32m summer signing N’Golo Kante.

The France international was parachuted into a holding role in front of the Chelsea defence, with Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas ahead of him in central midfield as part of a 4-1-4-1. 

Kante led the Premier League standings for tackles and interceptions during his incredible 2015/16 season with Leicester, and immediately provided his new team-mates with the perfect platform from …

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