N'Golo Kante: I won't be Chelsea's new Claude Makelele - I'll do things my way

New challenge: N'Golo Kante joined Chelsea in July
Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Vaishali Bhardwaj3 August 2016

N'Golo Kante has dismissed comparisons with Chelsea legend Claude Makelele, saying he wants to be known as his own man at the club.

Kante joined Chelsea from Premier League champions Leicester City in a £32million deal last month following his superb performances in midfield for the Foxes, which played a crucial role in Claudio Ranieri's side winning their first-ever top-flight title last term.

With France international Kante subsequently being linked with a move to Chelsea, the 25-year-old naturally drew comparisons with Les Bleus and Chelsea legend Makelele because of his size, holding midfield position and nationality.

However, Makelele insisted before Kante went on to join Chelsea that he didn't want the Frenchman to be compared to him, saying: "I want him to be more than me, but I love to watch him play because you can see in him the joy."

And Kante has now echoed such sentiments after admitting he would like to cement his place in Chelsea's history - but in his own way.

"There have been a lot of French midfielders at Chelsea," Kante told Chelsea's official website. "But they did it their way and I do it my way and I hope I can do good things at Chelsea.

Legend: Claude Makelele (left) is fondly remembered by Chelsea fans
Alex Livesey/Getty Images

"I saw Claude Makelele play in the French national team but before when he played at a club I didn’t watch him a lot.

"I can’t be the same as another player. I am just my way and I will try to improve on that at Chelsea."

Kante is in line to make his Chelsea debut when the Blues take on AC Milan at the US Bank Stadium on Thursday morning.

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