4 key passes: the Chelsea colossus who dominated against Aston Villa – opinion
Chelsea's French midfielder N'Golo Kante shoots but fails to score during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on December 4, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea held off an Aston Villa fightback on Wednesday evening to get back to winning ways after back to back defeats in the Premier League. At the heart of the Blues’ impressive performance was midfield dynamo N’Golo Kante, with the diminutive Frenchman dominating the middle of the park at Stamford Bridge whilst providing the hosts with energy and drive and a surprising amount of momentum as well.
Out of possession, Kante was his usual self. He may not have made a tackle against Villa, however, he didn’t need too. By using his near-telepathic positional sense, the Blues midfielder made a game-high three interceptions to cut out visiting attacks without having to get dirty.
While Kante did not make a clearance, he was on hand to put his body on the line, blocking an Aston Villa shot. Despite his 5”6’ stature Chelsea’s midfielder also rose above two opposition players to win aerial duels in what was a complete defensive performance.
The three fouls he made may seem high, but some of these could have been preventing counter-attacks, as they were all made in the centre of the pitch.
Once Kante had the ball at his feet the midfielder was simply outstanding making 113 passes, as he helped Chelsea dominate with 64 per cent of possession. His four key passes were the joint highest number on the pitch. With Matteo Kovacic alongside him, the pair bossed the engine room and are beginning to form the Premier League’s most commanding midfield partnership.
The Frenchman also provided two crosses, both of which were accurate, along with two further accurate long balls, proving he is not just a ball-winner but has an incredible range of passing.
The one criticism of Kante would have to be his attacking contribution, both of his shots were off target, while he did not complete a successful dribble around an opposition player. Furthermore, the combative midfielder was dispossessed once, as well as having an unsuccessful touch. But those are minimal gripes about what was an emphatic display by the midfielder which deserved to be lauded.