Returning to the French team for the November rally, N’Golo Kanté delivered a sparkling performance in midfield against Ukraine.
Aurélien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot on the flank for the two matches against Ukraine and Azerbaijan, Didier Deschamps surprised everyone by recalling N’Golo Kanté, not seen in the France team for more than a year. Exiled in Saudi Arabia, the former Caen player no longer seemed to fit into the plans of the French coach, who preferred Matteo Guendouzi or Khéphren Thuram.
“He is at his best level, from the matches I see, he plays every 3-4 days. Today it must be maintained. When I call him, it’s also so that he takes an important role. He is always in my thoughts”the former midfielder explained when his list was announced.
And Didier Deschamps is not the only one to have been reassuring about N’Golo Kanté’s state of form. The same was true of all his teammates who passed in front of the microphones. “Having N’Golo Kanté in your team is like having an extra player on the pitch,” a boy Kylan Mbappé. “He’s one of the best midfielders in the world. It’s just impressive”added Dayot Upamecano. Even Manu Koné, one of his competitors in the midfield, was admiring: “At his side, I only learn. »
N’Golo Kanté still essential
And his performance against Ukraine proved them right. If, like the Blues, N’Golo Kanté did not shine in the first half, he had a lot to do with the fine second half of the France team, ultimately winning 4-0. He thus demonstrated his usual activity in the French midfield, multiplying recoveries and remaining as reliable as ever in his transmissions. The second French goal scored by Michael Olise owes him almost everything (recovery and decisive pass).
N’Golo Kanté also won over the French supporters, visibly shocked by the level of play displayed by the world champion. So much so that he already seems essential to the Blues at the 2026 World Cup.
