Leicester City

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri: 'N'Golo Kante similar to Claude Makelele'

By Colm Hayes, Reporter | 26 September 2015

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri believes that N'Golo Kante can perform a similar role to the one played by Claude Makelele during his time under Ranieri at Chelsea.

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has stated that N'Golo Kante can perform a similar role to the one that Claude Makelele played during his time at Chelsea.

Ranieri, who signed Makelele for the Blues in 2003, feels that Kante possesses similar attributes to his former player.

"Last season in the first five leagues of Europe, he was number one to recover the ball. He is showing his quality now here. He is fantastic because he reads the situation very well. If you look at him, his movement, he attracts the ball. He is very smart and very fast in his movement," the 63-year-old told reporters.

"He is quiet but he can improve a lot because he can play like a central midfielder like when I had Makelele. Sometimes I put him in wide positions because I want him on the pitch.

"If you remember well, Makelele was a winger at the beginning of his career and then he came inside for Celta Vigo in Spain, then with Real Madrid and then with us at Chelsea. I think Kante can achieve this position. He is a very good midfielder. When we all watch the video of him chasing the ball everybody says 'Wow'."

Ranieri's side welcome Arsenal to the King Power Stadium on Saturday.