N’Golo Kante’s importance in any team cannot be taken for granted as his contribution helped Leicester and Chelsea win the league titles.

Chelsea’s French midfielder N’Golo Kante runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Chelsea at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on September 9, 2017.
Chelsea won the game 2-1. / AFP PHOTO

Club coach agrees with this assertion made about Kante who was named PFA and Football Writers Association Player of the Year last season after his fine display helped Conte clinch the title at the first time of asking.

Kante starred as Chelsea saw off his former team at the King Power Stadium, powering a low drive shot beyond Kasper Schmeichel to make sure a late penalty for the host didn’t change the result.

“N’Golo is very important for us – a top player. It was an amazing ­performance. He played a really fantastic game,” Conte told reporters.

“He scored but, overall, he made a lot of good runs. He is always ­improving. I think now he is very good with the ball.

“Before, a lot of people told me, ‘Yes, without the ball, he has good stamina and is a good worker’, but now with the ball he has ­improved a lot.

“I am happy for this ­because we are working a lot with him. To be the best player in the Premier League last ­season is a great thing. This season he is ­confirming it.

“You must have the will to work and improve. Until the end of your career you can ­always improve.”