Hazard: Kante’s endurance staggers Chelsea teammates

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is in no doubt that if the Blues’ stars had to compete in an endurance race, midfield marathon man N’Golo Kante would be out in front.

The understated French international has been one of the standout stars of Chelsea’s campaign so far, with the south-west London side in pole position to claim the Premier League title, and preparing to take on Manchester United in the FA Cup on Monday evening.

Signed from Leicester after their title success last term, 25-year-old Kante has been imperious for Antonio Conte’s charges and is being tipped to scoop the Premier League Player of the Year award.

And Hazard, who has himself enjoyed a return to form and spurred Chelsea to the summit of the table, admits Kante’s ability to seemingly be everywhere on the pitch allows his forward-thinking teammates to thrive.

“We have to work, even if he’s one of the best players in his position. We have to defend, because the manager wants that,” he said.

“But it’s true; sometimes we say ‘I don’t defend now, because N’Golo is there’.

“If we have to do a marathon – he will win for sure. He can run 10 hours. I can run 10 metres, then I’m tired.

“We’re going to try to win everything this season. It’s not going to be easy, but we’re going to train and work hard to win the Premier League and FA Cup.

“We are at a club where every year you have to win something. We can win both the cup and the league. We will give everything.

“We have 11 games to play in the league. We hope we can win as soon as possible the league, and the cup is a bonus – but it’s a good bonus.”