Kante: I’m not the new Makelele

Comparisons to one of the most lauded players of their generation are normally welcomed, but Chelsea new boy N’Golo Kante insists he is not the new Claude Makelele.

The midfielder is a player certainly in the mould of compatriot Makelele, but following his £30m transfer from Premier League champions Leicester City, Kante is determined to break that mould.

French internationals Makelele, Emmanuel Petit and Didier Deschamps have all graced the Stamford Bridge turf since the turn of the century, but Kante wants to step out of their shadows and be a star in his own right.

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“There have been a lot of French midfielders at Chelsea,” said the 25-year-old.

“But they did it their way and I do it my way and I hope I can do good things at Chelsea.

“I saw Claude Makelele play in the French national team but before when he played at a club I didn’t watch him a lot.

“I can’t be the same as another player. I am just my way and I will try to improve on that at Chelsea.”

Kante made his Blues debut in Minneapolis, last night, as Chelsea beat AC Milan 3-1 thanks to a Bertrand Traore opener and a brace from Oscar.