‘Rat-like’ Kante gives Chelsea confidence, says Hazard

Eden Hazard believes N’Golo Kante will have a crucial contribution to Chelsea’s title push this season.

Following his £30m arrival from champions Leicester, many pundits were quick to link him to former Stamford Bridge favourite Claude Makelele.

And Hazard believes his team-mate is certainly ready to seize his chance to follow in the footsteps of other top French central midfielders to play for the Blues, such as Didier Deschamps and Emmanuel Petit.

“He gives us confidence,” said the Belgian.

“We want to try to dribble and to pass the opponent because we know even if we try but don’t pass the opponent and if we lose the ball then he is there behind us, he can take the ball.

“He is a fantastic player. He is a like a rat, he goes everywhere and he has a top mentality and is a top guy. It is always good to play with the top players.

And Kante, who is hoping to feature in national coach Deschamps’s plans when France play Italy in Bari tomorrow, insists he has quickly settled following his high-profile summer switch.

“Three wins in three games is very good,” he told Chelsea’s club website.

“I try to give my best for the team and if I have done well then I am happy. I hope to keep going in this way and I hope the team keep winning and keep everyone happy.”