Chelsea won fairly easily against Atletico Madrid tonight, and in large part they could thank N’Golo Kante for that.
The midfielder went from end to end for 90 minutes, and as the Blues got the match-sealing goal in the 94th it was Kante who was racing faster than anyone else to make it to the opposition penalty area.
It was a moment that encapsulated 90 minutes of pure, pure brilliance. In every phase of the game he was astonishing, and one could see the belief drain from the Atletico players as attack after attack ended at the Frenchman’s feet.
We will need him at his vey best again if we’re going to keep progressing. Let’s hope we can give him a rest sooner rather than later.
One summed up everyone’s feelings by calling him an “unbelievable footballer,” and it would have been easy to go a lot further than that.
You can see a selection of the reaction here:
That Kante performance was something else. Not just back to his best, but perhaps his best performance, among many great performances, for Chelsea.
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) March 17, 2021
94th minute, look who's absolutely bolted into attack, fresh as a daisy. An all-time great performance that. pic.twitter.com/IFrIZhnc3Y
— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) March 17, 2021
N'Golo Kante, on behalf all of Chelsea fans, we love you. #CFC pic.twitter.com/o8xwIllvAX
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) March 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/DonCalteck/status/1372308677735120897
Kante has dominated this game and the midfield, absolutely unbelievable footballer.
— #8 (@_JoeAlexanderr) March 17, 2021
This is exactly it. Anyone who doesn’t think Kante is an exceptionally intelligent footballer above all else just isn’t watching properly #CFC https://t.co/3MprZo0qq5
— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) March 17, 2021
To all those who doubted Kante pic.twitter.com/t2hW9G6q4K
— Tom Clifford ⭐⭐ (@tomcliffordcfc) March 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/FutbolCheIsea/status/1372311131629481988
N'Golo Kante vs Atletico Madrid (H):
97 touches
71 completed passes (87.7%)
2 key passes
4/7 dribbles completed
4/7 ground duels won
2 interceptions
2 clearances
13 loose-ball recoveriesAn all-time great display. pic.twitter.com/086hBjzm42
— ExpectedChelsea (@ExpectedChelsea) March 17, 2021
N'Golo Kante with as close to a 10/10 CL game you'll ever see from a midfielder.
It'll be forgotten because he didn't get a goal or an assist but that was a football heritage performance. pic.twitter.com/f6mh2R30CZ
— Ayden (@AydenMalek) March 17, 2021
Just noticed Kante sprinted past Pulisic from our own box for the second goal. He’s actually not human. What an outrageously good performance from him today. Reminded everyone why there’s no better DM in the world, on the biggest of stages. #CHEATM
— Jake Heasman (@jakeheasman) March 17, 2021
N’Golo Kante’s heatmap against Atletico Madrid tonight pic.twitter.com/WRfh4DabN6
— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) March 17, 2021
That Kante performance is one of the best performances I’ve seen from any Chelsea player in my 43 years of supporting the club. Incredible.
— ✈️ (@Arrizabalager) March 17, 2021
N’Golo Kanté vs Atlético Madrid:
88% pass accuracy
2 key passes
7 dribbles
4/7 ground duels won
4 interceptions and clearancesStill one of the best midfielders in the world. #CHEATM pic.twitter.com/rHHIUaro31
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) March 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/CFCYahya/status/1372310180919177216
N'Golo Kante has been awarded the UEFA Man of the Match award.
— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) March 17, 2021
N’Golo Kante being back to his best makes such a huge difference to this team. World class player. pic.twitter.com/mt4dG6Xmnl
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) March 17, 2021
