Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United legend and former England all-time top scorer, heaped praise on French star N'Golo Kante, highlighting the miraculous levels he displayed during his golden era with Chelsea, with Rooney considering him one of the most important pillars of the midfield in the history of modern football, and not just in the English Premier League.
Unmatched tactical impact
In his analysis of the French star's performance, Rooney emphasized that Kanté's exceptional presence on the pitch had a magical effect and a direct impact on his teammates' performance. The "Golden Boy" of English football explained that Kanté's boundless energy and immense physical capabilities gave Chelsea absolute confidence in attack, allowing his teammates to attack without the usual fear of losing defensive balance or being vulnerable to counter-attacks.
Rooney added that Kante's anticipatory movements and reading of the game drew more than one player into the attacking third, based on a firm belief in the "French machine's" ability to win back possession in record time. This psychological and tactical factor gave Chelsea a clear advantage in controlling midfield battles for many years, making them a very difficult opponent to break down.
A golden career and global impact
Rooney's praise cannot be separated from the historical context of Kante's career. The player, who moved to Chelsea from Leicester City after achieving the "miracle" of the Premier League title in 2016, immediately repeated the feat with the Blues in 2017, becoming the first outfield player to win the title twice in a row with two different clubs in the Premier League era. This immediate impact cemented his status as one of the most successful signings in the London club's history.
Kante, currently playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, has an impact far beyond domestic competitions. He was instrumental in Chelsea's 2021 Champions League triumph, earning the Man of the Match award in both the semi-final against Real Madrid and the final against Manchester City – a rare achievement that reflects his absolute dominance in midfield at the highest level of football.
The ideal model for the modern midfielder
The English star concluded his remarks by categorically stating that N'Golo Kanté, during his peak at Stamford Bridge, was, for him, the undisputed best midfielder in the world. Rooney attributed this to Kanté's all-around influence, his strict tactical discipline, and his rare ability to combine defensive duties as a ball-winner with attacking roles as a ball carrier and build-up player, thus redefining the role of the holding midfielder in modern football.
