Skip to content

Chelsea's Kante pips Hazard to win PFA Player of the Year award

PFA/Twitter

Score one for defensive-minded players everywhere. The attackers don't get all the plaudits, after all.

Chelsea's indefatigable tackling machine N'Golo Kante, the midfield engine powering the Blues' run to the title this season - after doing the same for Leicester City last year - was rewarded for his consistent excellence, the dynamic Frenchman being named the PFA Player of the Year on Sunday.

"It means the world to me," Kante said of winning the award. "To be chosen as the Player of the Year is a great honour."

The 26-year-old beat out teammate Eden Hazard for the prize; Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Everton talisman Romelu Lukaku, Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez were also nominated.

Related: Chelsea, Spurs stars headline PFA Team of the Year

But Kante, who has garnered praise from all angles for his tireless performances at the heart of Antonio Conte's midfield, emerged a worthy victor, adding the Premier League's most prestigious individual award to a personal trophy cabinet that also boasts two consecutive nods on the PFA team of the season.

He becomes the third player from the west London side to claim the hardware, following in the footsteps of outgoing Chelsea captain John Terry (2004-05) and Hazard (2014-15).

With the individual accolade in tow, the little Frenchman - who took to Twitter to thank his teammates for helping him win the award - will no doubt be hoping to close out the campaign with another Premier League title and an FA Cup crown.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox