Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante Wins PFA Player of the Year Award

 

Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante Wins PFA Player of the Year Award

Chelsea defensive midfielder N’Golo Kante has won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award for the 2016-17 season.

Kante, 26, saw off competition from teammate Eden Hazard, Tottenham’s Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku of Everton, Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez for the prestigious prize

It’s been another stellar campaign for the French midfield dynamo who is on course to become the first player to win successive Premier League titles with different clubs after also helping Leicester secure the title last year.

The former Caen midfielder said it’s a great honour to be recognised by his peers during the award ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.

“To be chosen by the players to be player of the year means a lot to me,” a delighted Kante said.

“It means the world to be chosen and it’s been two beautiful seasons, one with Leicester, and we are in good form with Chelsea. To be player of the year, it’s a great honour.”

Kante, who also faces an FA Cup final date against London rivals Arsenal, praised Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, for instilling a winning mentality into the players.

“He knows what he wants from the players,” said Kante.

“He wants to win, and we work very, very, very hard in training for him. He put a winning mentality into the squad, and everyone wants to give their best for the team, and to make Chelsea win titles.”

Chelsea’s title rivals Tottenham Hotspur didn’t go away empty-handed as their midfield sensation Dele Alli won the young player of the year award for the second successive year.

English football icon David Beckham joined former Manchester United teammate Ryan Giggs in receiving the PFA’s Merit award for his contribution to the game.