You can’t find a more deserving winner than Kante

My vote went to Eden Hazard, but I was genuinely torn between Chelsea’s masterful creator and the miniscule one-man midfield wrecking-ball that is N’Golo Kante.

He could easily have won the PFA or Football Writers’ award last year for his instrumental role in Leicester City’s scarcely believable triumph, and having raised standards at Stamford Bridge, I have no arguments that he’s the right choice this term.

What makes him so special? Here are five reasons why Kante is seen as the Premier League’s main man.

#1. A multi-purpose champion

Leicester City and Chelsea are two sides with a lengthy catalogue of disparities. Stylistically, they are nothing like one another.

Yet Kante has effortlessly been the driving force for both of them across two consecutive campaigns. That’s some accomplishment.

Eric Cantona is the only other player in Premier League history to have played a pivotal role in back-to-back title triumphs for different clubs, so Kante belongs in esteemed company; and justifiably so.

He may lack the panache and ego of his famous compatriot, but the impact Kante has made to both teams is at least on a par with ‘King Eric’.

Just look at where they were in the previous campaigns. Prior to his arrival the King Power Stadium, the Foxes had finished 14th on 41 points. Last term Chelsea ended a miserable season in 10th on 50 points.

Over the course of two seasons, Kante has to date inspired a combined leap of 22 positions and 75 points.

It’s incredible.

I’ve been so impressed at the ease with which he’s made the transition.

Chelsea don’t need him to chase around all game hunting for the ball like the Foxes did. They’ve asked for that, plus an awful lot more.

Kante hasn’t made quite as many tackles or interceptions for the Blues (how could he in a side that’s attacking so often?) but he has married those famous ball retrieval skills, with better ball retention, and sharper decision-making.

He is the type of player any team would benefit from.

#2. A never-ending engine

Steve Walsh, the erudite scout who wisely recruited Kante from French football, used to joke that Claudio Ranieri’s side had a three-man engine room: “Danny Drinkwater, with Kante either side of him” and I’m certain that’s how Chelsea fans have viewed his influence too.

The little man is everywhere.

Gliding across the pitch from side to side, from back to front, Kante has once again been first on the scene throughout the course of a sensational campaign. Covering more distance than any other Blues teammate, and third only behind Gylfi Sigurdsson and Christian Eriksen in the entire division, his engine is sensational. Bafflingly, he never seems to get out of breath either.

It’s also the speed of his movement that sets him apart.

Kante will average a speed of over 7kmh during matches, and very few others can replicate that over 90 minutes. He boasts the type of numbers you’d expect of a second half substitute.

This high motor speed is a nightmare for opponents. The moment they make a bad touch, the France international is in their face trying pinching the ball off their toes.

Without his infectious energy I’m unsure Conte would have used 3-4-3 as his primary system.

To make a two-man central midfield function properly against rival teams that have an extra man, immense work rates are required, and he has that with Kante and partner Nemanja Matic.

In terms of efficient athleticism, the Footballer of the Year is one of the best I’ve ever seen.

#3. Always a steady 7

When was the last time N’Golo Kante had a poor game?

Actually I know exactly when it was - Sept 24, 2016.

That afternoon he was part of a Chelsea side that was routed 3-0 by Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. Off the pace, and chasing shadows (arguably for the first time in his Premier League career) the Frenchman was a passenger.

The fact that game stands out so much, serves to outline the midfielder’s fabulous consistency levels.

Below-par displays are collectors’ items, and what a boon that must be for Antonio Conte. The Italian could not wish for a more reliable performer in the heart of the pitch.

Kante also delivers the occasional phenomenal performance too.

He ran the show with exceptional all-round midfield displays home and away against former club Leicester, and at home to Manchester United, Arsenal and Swansea City among others.

But ordinarily he’s a steady 7/10. Perhaps that’s why he wears the number on the back of his shirt?

#4. Quietly destructive

I’ve heard Chelsea legend Claude Makalele bemoan a ‘lack of leadership skills’ and use it as a stick to beat Kante with, but that’s nonsense.

In a tranquil, unassuming manner, the midfielder leads from the front with his actions.

So far this season Kante has blocked 83 passes (5th in the Premier League), made 79 successful interceptions (5th), crunched into 114 tackles (2nd) and won possession back inside the middle third for Chelsea on 156 occasions (2nd).

In that all-important engine room the diminutive Kante is Kingpin, Director, Chief Controller and Guvnor all rolled into one.

#5. He’s not just player of the season - he is also the signing of the season too.

For £32 million (S$58 million), N’Golo Kante has provided unparalleled value for money, and other clubs around the world must be kicking themselves for letting Chelsea snare him on the cheap.

We all accept now that Kante is no one-trick pony. He can rough it for a side that doesn’t have the ball, or he can shine among royalty too.

This season he has passed the ball beautifully and facilitated a stream of attacks for Hazard, Pedro, Diego Costa and co.

Chelsea won’t sell him – that would be a suicidal decision – but in this summer’s transfer market, I’d suggest his value would have to be around the £100million mark.

He is just as valuable as any world-class centre forward. Maybe more.