Claudio
Ranieri has urged Leicester's supporters to give N'Golo Kante a welcome
return to the King Power Stadium when Chelsea visit this weekend.
Kante was instrumental in the Foxes' Premier League title triumph last
season but was the only key member of that squad to move in the summer,
joining Chelsea in a £30m deal.
The France international has continued to thrive, becoming a linchpin in
Antonio Conte's midfield, and Ranieri says he has not surprised Kante has
done so well.
"I hope our fans give him a warm reception because he was our champion,"
Ranieri said. "It's important to remember what he gave us.
"I am not surprised how well he has done at Chelsea. He's very good player.
But I think here he was more able to play better than [at] Chelsea. Here all
the light was on him. At Chelsea there are so many champions and he's
another one."
Leicester have signed defensive midfielder Wilfried Ndidi this January after
failing to plug the gap Kante left last year, but Ranieri believes
comparisons between the pair should not be drawn.
"Everybody compares Ndidi with N'Golo – but it's totally different," he
said.
"Kante is more comparable to Nampalys Mendy. In two to three years Ndidi
will go high, we believe in him that's why we paid a lot – more than for
Kante – because we believe he can arrive at a top, top level.
"Now I can change more systems. Last season we had one system and beat
everybody. With N'Golo we played with 12 players and the referee never
counted! This season it is not the same – I found a Plan B where I change
formation and players."
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