But the 27-year-old has had to adapt to a change of position this season under new Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri. Sarri, who replaced Antonio Conte in the close-season, brought Jorginho with him from Napoli to play the pivotal midfield role in front of the defence that used to be Kante’s domain. Sarri believes Jorginho’s superior passing makes him more suited to launching Chelsea’s attacks than Kante, who is now operating in a slightly more advanced role on the right of midfield.
Kante has sometimes looked out of sorts in his different position this season, but he showed signs of getting to grips with it on Sunday, scoring the winner at Crystal Palace with awell-timed run and cool finish. “This role is something I am enjoying and in a game I try to make that run sometimes,” Kante said.
“David (Luiz) gave me a good ball and I am happy to score with my left foot and give something to the team.” Away wins at Watford and Palace made it a happy Christmas for Chelsea. But with the Blues still trailing 11 points behind leaders Liverpool, their title ambitions have been put on the back burner as they focus on securing a place in next season’s Champions League via a top four finish.
Work in progress
They could be hampered by fitness problems, with Olivier Giroud, Cesc Fabregas, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Pedro and Callum Hudson-Odoi all suffering injuries over Christmas. Sarri has questioned Chelsea’s mental strength and cutting edge at various times this season and it would be no surprise to see new faces arrive in the January transfer window.
Vardy rings in NY with acrobatic display
Jamie Vardy rescued a dire match with an eye-catching celebration as his goal secured Leicester City a 1-0 win away at Everton in their New Year’s day Premier League fixture on Tuesday. The 31-year-old showed remarkable agility after scoring in the 58th minute for a result that sees The Fox0es move into seventh, seven points adrift of Arsenal who occupy the Europa League fifth-placed spot.
Vardy has been rumoured to have strained relations with Leicester manager Claude Puel and was taken off in the defeat by Cardiff last Saturday and said the acrobatic display had not been a spontaneous one. “I have had it in my locker for awhile,” he told Sky Sports. “I saved it for a special occasion, what better one than New Year’s Day. New year, new me.”
Despite the rumours surrounding their relations Vardy has been the most effective goalscorer since Puel took over in October 2017 taking his Premier League tally to 22, double the number of the next highest Foxes scorer. Whilst Leicester have found arich vein of form – this was their third win in four matches with the other two the prized scalps of Manchester City and Chelsea – Everton are going in the opposite direction.
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