Frank Lampard has hailed N'Golo Kante as the world's best midfielder after the France international played a starring role against Manchester United on Monday.
Kante outclassed £89million Paul Pogba in midfield and scored the only goal of Chelsea's 1-0 FA Cup quater-final victory against Jose Mourinho's United at Stamford Bridge.
The 25-year-old is on course to win back-to-back Premier League titles after inspiring Leicester City's 5,000/1 triumph last season, and Chelsea's all-time top goalscorer Lampard sees few equals fpr the £32m signing across the globe.
Lampard told BBC Sport after the game: "I compared him to Claude Makelele last season, but he's got even more to his game than Makelele.
"I would go so far as to say N'Golo Kante is the best central midfield player in the world right now."
Kante said following the win: "I'm happy to score again, we're happy for the win. It was a beautiful win.
"It was a tough game, Manchester United are a good team. But once they had a player sent off it was easier.
"It is a pleasure to go to the next round and now to try to get to the final."
