Nemanja Matic says N'Golo Kante is doing a great job for Chelsea in midfield and he knows just how hard his role is

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Nemanja Matic has praised the impact of summer signing N'Golo Kante since he arrived at Chelsea.

A vital component in the Leicester side that became Premier League winners, Kante was quickly snapped up the Blues for £32million and has slotted into the midfield effortlessly.

Occupying the defensive role, the France international has allowed Matic to play further forward and having been the midfield linchpin for the last two seasons, understands the task better than most.

N'Golo Kante joined Chelsea in the summer from Leicester and has been excellent in midfield

Nemanja Matic praised the Frenchman and said it has given him the freedom to go forward

'Since Kante came, he's worked more behind me and his job is what I have done for the last two years,' Matic said. 

'I have a little bit more freedom to get forward, as long as there is space, but when we defend I have to get back to help him.

'He is doing a great job, I know it is not easy for him. I wish him all the best for the rest of the season because he needs to run a lot.

Kante has been compared with former Chelsea star Claude Makelele who redefined that role

'It's very hard playing in that position, but it's his job. He needs to do that.'

Comparisons were instantly made with Chelsea legend Claude Makelele, who spent five years in South West London and was credited with defining the defensive position in English football.