It’s a bit strange to see N’Golo Kante make forays upfront alongside Willian and Eden Hazard like he’s done this season, but Maurizio Sarri has repeated many times, he does not see the France international in the defensive midfield role.
Jorginho has occupied that position due to the specific demands Sarri has for the deep-lying playmaker. Kante, as great as he is in reading the game and intercepting attacks, is not as good starting them. But with Jorginho struggling to find his feet in English football, the call has been for Sarri to restore Kante to his more natural position.
READ MORE:Â Ethan Ampadu makes surprise choice as his best player in Chelsea training
READ MORE:Â Chelsea are unquestionably in the mix to sign Gareth Bale
The former Napoli head coach has been impervious to those shouts. He instead will stick with his protege from Italy and shunt Kante to the right side of the three-man midfield. Kante’s productivity up front vindicates Sarri, with the former Leicester City midfielder scoring four goals in all competitions, his best ever in any season and France head coach Didier Deschamps has no qualms about the move of position:
“No, it happens with other players (to play in different positions with the club and the national team). I saw that his coach preferred to see him in a more offensive position because he has a player, Jorginho, who plays in this position a little lower.
N’Golo Kante is able to play in several positions. He is a modern player, a modern midfielder. When he is with me in the French national team, he has a great importance in this lower position. He is very important defensively and in the organisation of the game.”
Didier Deschamps, Evening Standard
