Chelsea legend Claude Makelele shares what he absolutely loves about N’Golo Kante

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One Chelsea legend, Claude Makelele, has been speaking about another, N’Golo Kante.

Claude Makelele and N’Golo Kante were both huge successes during their spells in west London, helping the Blues to win the Premier League among other honours.

Kante also played an instrumental role in Chelsea winning the Champions League back in 2021.

He has since left the club, joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad. Moises Caicedo is now the one stopping attacks for Chelsea, slowly developing into a midfielder fit enough to replace Kante.

• READ MORE: Chelsea fans are now comparing Moises Caicedo to one club legend after West Ham victory

Claude Makelele on N’Golo Kante

Makelele was not a bad midfielder himself in his day, so the praise he has given Kante should be seen as a big compliment.

When asked what impresses him most about the 33-year-old on The Obi One Podcast, Makelele said: “Whenever he plays, he’s always smiling… anywhere, quality, running, 90 minutes, fighting, he’s smiling!”

Kante picked up a lot of injuries towards the end of his Chelsea career, but he has been fine in Saudi Arabia.

Last season, for example, the Frenchman made 44 appearances in all competitions. Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf wanted Chelsea to re-sign Kante during the summer.

Moises Caicedo looking to follow in N’Golo Kante and Claude Makelele’s footsteps

Like Kante and Makelele, Caicedo is a good ball-winner who has now had the honour of donning the famous Chelsea shirt.

According to WhoScored, the 22-year-old is making an impressive 3.6 tackles per league game this season. It is the highest average in Enzo Maresca‘s squad.

Caicedo has the skill set to replicate both Kante and Makelele; he now just has to help Chelsea win trophies.

That is easier said than done, with the likes of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Liverpool around. Chelsea are also without Champions League football, so they are not going to claim a big trophy this season.

However, the Blues can still win the Conference League, for example, and perhaps that could be the thing that gets the ball rolling for Caicedo and his teammates.