Joey Barton believes Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is overrated because he isn't a creator and hasn't yet played in the Champions League.
Kante is one of the hot favourites to win this season's PFA Player of the Year award for his scintillating performances for Antonio Conte's side.
The Frenchman also consistently performed last season when he played a key role in Leicester City securing the Premier League crown.
But Barton, who played against Kante in Chelsea's 1-1 draw away to Burnley in February, has refuted Frank Lampard's belief that the Blues star is one of the best midfielders in the world because he doesn't create enough.
"At the moment, in England, people only swear by N’Golo Kante. It’s the fashion," Barton told French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche.
"For pundits, he’s the best midfielder in the world. Oh! He’s very good, but I played against him three weeks ago, and that’s not the case.
"He’s a fantastic destroyer in a phenomenal team, but not a creator."
Kante had the chance to play in the Champions League this season with Leicester, but decided to join Chelsea last summer despite the fact the Blues would not be in Europe's elite competition this term.
While his former teammates have gone on to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League - where they will take on Atletico Madrid - Kante has spent the season helping Chelsea surge to the top of the Premier League standings.
Barton says he is "sceptical" of Kante's abilities because he believes the 25-year-old cannot truly be labelled as the best midfielder in the world until he proves himself in Europe's premier tournament.
"It’s impossible to be so definitive with a player who hasn’t played a game in the Champions League," he added.
"Two years ago, no one knew him, and I’m surprised that all of the scouts had missed him before. I’m of a sceptical nature."
