N’Golo Kante is better than Makelele, says Nemanja Matic

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Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic believes new signing N’Golo Kante is better than club legend Claude Makelele

Chelsea and Serbia midfielder Nemanja Matic believes that new £30 million signing N’Golo Kante is better than club legend Claude Makelele.

Matic rejoined Chelsea in January of 2014, after having been sold by the club three years previously to Portuguese side Benfica as part of the deal that saw David Luiz move in the other direction.

Now, with Matic a key part of Chelsea’s midfield under new manager Antonio Conte, the Serbian powerhouse has stated his belief that his new teammate is comparable to former Blues legend Makelele.

“He is very important for us, especially in that position,” Matic told Sky Sports ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Swansea on Sunday.

“You have to give balance to the team and he knows how he needs to do that job – he is very important for us.”

Kante played a key role in Leicester’s fairy tale title win last season, after having only joined the club at the start of the season.

Now, after having joined Chelsea this summer, the industrious Frenchman is already being touted as a player capable of propelling Chelsea back to the title under new manager Conte.

“I know how difficult it is to play that position and I’m very happy because N’Golo is doing very well and is going to be a very important player for us, maybe one of the most important players in this season,” Matic added.

“It is very hard for him and it’s going to be hard, but I’m sure that he is ready.

“Many people say that he is the new Makelele, but I don’t think so. Makelele was a great player and we all respect him, me especially because I know that position and how it is difficult to play.

“But I think that N’Golo is better than him. He is doing his defensive job very well and with the ball he has some extra quality.”

Kante and Matic have started all of Chelsea’s Premier League games so far this season, and have been crucial to Conte’s pressing style of play at the London club.