It was a terrific demonstration in the art of simplicity.
Diego Costa and David Luiz rightly received most of the plaudits following the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough last weekend, a result which extended Chelsea’s run to six successive victories.
The Brazil-born pair were superb at the Riverside Stadium and essential to the visitors’ victory with their contributions at either end of the pitch.
It is worth recognising, though, that in between them in the middle of the pitch came another terrific display.
N’Golo Kante has been superb for Chelsea so far this season, picking up from where he left off with champions Leicester City following his £30 million (Dh137.1m) summer move.
He has played every minute in the Premier League so far, Antonio Conte clearly valuing the way he wins the ball back and quickly moves it on with minimum fuss.
Eden Hazard, David Luiz and Victor Moses may be the most obvious beneficiaries of Conte’s decision to switch from a 4-1-4-1 formation to a 3-4-2-1 at the start of October, but Kante has also profited.
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In the early weeks of the season, the France international was deployed as an anchorman behind Nemanja Matic and Oscar in a three-man midfield. He performed reasonably well in that time, but he always seemed a little tentative about vacating his zone in front of the back four and advancing up the pitch to close down opponents in the manner he had done so successfully for Leicester.
In the two-man midfield provided by the 3-4-2-1, Kante, 25, is able to put his energy to better use by imposing his game in a larger area of the pitch.
It is no surprise he has made more interceptions than every other midfielder in the division.
When Tottenham Hotspur travel across London to take on the Premier League leaders on Saturday, Kante will lock horns with another summer signing who has excelled as part of his new employers’ midfield.
Spurs have endured a somewhat underwhelming start to the season. They may still be unbeaten in the league but Tottenham’s performance levels have rarely reached the heights of last season, while their exit from the Uefa Champions League on Tuesday night was a major disappointment.
One of the few bright spots in their season so far has been Victor Wanyama, who moved to White Hart Lane from Southampton at the end of June.
The Kenya international had been expected to serve as backup to Eric Dier in the deepest role in Tottenham’s midfield, but a combination of injuries elsewhere and his own fine form has seen Wanyama start all 12 of his side’s Premier League matches.
While he has been typically combative — Jordan Henderson, Danny Drinkwater, Oriol Romeu and Idrissa Gueye are the only midfielders to have made more tackles in the top flight — Wanyama, 25, has also impressed with his effective use of the ball, a quality he has not been particularly renowned for.
Although Tottenham have looked a little vulnerable defensively in recent outings — Toby Alderweireld’s absence through injury has been keenly felt — they have still conceded the fewest goals in the division, a record Wanyama has played a major part in.
Both he and Kante have been among the best acquisitions made by Premier League clubs this season.
The outcome of Chelsea’s clash with Tottenham at Stamford Bridge could depend on which of the midfield stars shines the brightest.
Time for Leicester to focus on league
November 22, 2016 will never have the same resonance with Leicester fans as May 2, 2016, but the former date should still go down as one of the most significant in the club’s history.
After winning their first top-flight title around seven months ago, Claudio Ranieri’s side qualified for the knockout stage of the Uefa Champions League by beating Club Brugge 2-1 on Tuesday.
It was a fantastic achievement, and while Leicester were handed a favourable group, they have performed with maturity in their debut campaign in Europe’s principal competition and thoroughly deserve their spot in the last 16.
A final group game against Porto awaits early next month, but the Premier League champions will then have to wait until mid-February for their next continental clash.
In the meantime, Leicester must ensure they are not sucked into domestic danger, with just two points separating them from the relegation zone heading into Saturday’s meeting with Middlesbrough.
Ranieri’s decision to prioritise the Champions League this season makes perfect sense.
Leicester may never be in such a position again, and it would have been a shame had they opted not to take the tournament seriously in an attempt to boost their chances of finishing in the top eight of the Premier League.
Nevertheless, it is essential that they now turn their attention back to what got them into Europe in the first place.
Leicester’s squad has more than enough quality to secure a mid-table finish this season, but getting points on the board sooner rather than later is a must, particularly as Manchester City and Chelsea are the only top six sides they are scheduled to face in the next couple of months.
Between now and February, the Premier League should take precedence.
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