Stephen Warnock told the Football Show on Sky Sports (07/12/20 at 10:45 am) that N’Golo Kante ‘came out on top’ in his battle with Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips on Saturday.
Chelsea recorded a 3-1 win against forward-thinking Leeds, with Warnock sharing that Phillips was targetted and Kante was the man who didn’t allow him a moment to breathe.
Kante has been one of the best number 6’s in the Premier League in recent seasons, whilst Phillips is slowly making a name for himself following Leeds’ promotion.
Warnock shared his thoughts on the battle between the two over the weekend and why the quick-footed Frenchman was victorious in their personal battle.
“He [Kante] was coming up against arguably one of the other best defensive midfielders in Kalvin Phillips,” said Warnock. “But Kante came out on top.
“He always saw the danger in what Leeds were trying to do. We saw last week what Kalvin Phillips likes to do. He likes to feed it around the corner and cause problems for the backline. Kante knew that.
“Look at the distance he [Kante] is trying to cover [10 meters] to get close to him. Not only get close to him to close him down but try and win the ball back. It was brilliant from Kante because Kalvin Phillips wasn’t given a moment. Constantly pressing him.”
From winning the Premier League title with Leicester City to thriving at Stamford Bridge since his £30 million move in 2016 [BBC Sport], Kante is perhaps the best defensive-minded midfielder in the league on his day.
Phillips has a long way to go to match the heights of Kante, but many at Elland Road feel he has the talents to reach the very top.
Helping his boyhood club earn promotion and now becoming an England international is proof that he is on the right track.
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