Champions League: N’Golo Kante an extraordinary player, a contender for prestigious Ballon d’Or, says Ramires

Former Chelsea star Ramires believes N’Golo Kante is an extraordinary player and deserves to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or. Kanté helped Thomas Tuchel’s side seal their second Champions League trophy with a player of the match for his performance in the UCL final against Manchester City.

Kante has also won numerous individual awards but has yet to be in serious contention for the biggest ones, such as the Ballon d’Or, but he surely must be in with a chance this year.

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“He’s very calm, always quiet. He’s an extraordinary player. He’s in every corner of the field. In defence, in the middle, in attack, on the sides. He’s among the best in the world. The way he’s playing is impressive,” he told Mais Futebol.

“He may turn out to be one of the top three in the world. It’s hard for a defensive midfielder to come in and win a Ballon d’Or. But it would be deserved”.

Often praised for his ball-winning skills, Kante’s passing and running with the ball allows Chelsea to quickly transition from defence to attack.

Kante had won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016 and then again with Chelsea the following year. After winning the FA Cup with the London club he was then a key component of the France team which claimed the 2018 World Cup.

“Kante’s staggering. I’m shattered just watching him,” said former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, now a television pundit with BT Sport.

“I played (at Chelsea) with (French international) Claude Makelele who I thought was the best until I saw this kid. He’s got Makelele plus extras,” he added.

“In the same way a striker’s got that instinct in front of goal, he’s got that in midfield. (City’s Ilkay) Gundogan, (Bernardo) Silva and (Phil) Foden couldn’t read it, Kante was just on it.”