Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has lavished praise on France international N’Golo Kante, who has been a standout performer in the Euro 2024 tournament, Soccernet.ng reports.
To the former Borussia Dortmund star, Kante is his favourite defensive midfielder, and his control of the midfield during France’s opening game against Australia won his heart.
The former Chelsea star has become the talk of the town with his seamless return to Didier Deschamps’ France national team squad.
Kante’s Return to France’s Squad
Injuries had sidelined Kante from the squad, notably causing him to miss France’s 2022 World Cup campaign due to a hamstring injury.
A move from Chelsea to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad had further cast doubts on his future in international football. Many speculated that he had lost his prime.
However, in his two games back with the squad, Kante has turned back the clock with stellar performances. He has led the French team in tackles, with only William Saliba surpassing him in ball recoveries and possession wins in the defensive and middle thirds of the field.
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These performances have earned the 33-year-old back-to-back Man of the Match awards, proving that talent never dies.
Oliseh Salutes Kante’s Return
Reacting to a post by ESPN, the former Ajax midfielder praised the Frenchman and revealed that with Kante’s inclusion in the squad, he believes France is a favorite to win the 17th edition of the Euro tournament.
“The ‘Gigantic Alien of Football’ is back!! What a pleasure to watch one of my favorite defensive midfielders of all time, N’Golo Kante, back to international football for France. I now feel France is a real favorite to win the Euros!!” he wrote on his X (formerly Twitter).
Fabregas Reveals Why Kante Is Special
Former Spanish international Cesc Fabregas has also heaped praise on his former teammate Kante following his return to the pitch with the France national team.
As reported by Metro Sport, the former Chelsea star, who played alongside Kante at Stamford Bridge, highlighted Kante’s special traits as a player.
“I will always come short of good things to say about N’Golo. I mean, what a player.
“When he first came to Chelsea after winning the league with Leicester, tactically he was good, but we saw him more as a corrector.
“But the most important and special thing about him is the will to learn and the capacity to do it very fast and apply it on the pitch,” said the Spaniard.
Following France’s scoreless draw against the Netherlands yesterday, both teams share four points in Group D, with Austria sitting third and Poland fourth.
