Nemanja Matic has praised Chelsea summer signing N'Golo Kante for the impact he's made since joining the club for £32million from Leicester City this summer.
Apart from during the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal last month, Kante has been one of Chelsea's most consistent performers.
His arrival has allowed Matic to play in a more advanced role, with Kante replacing him as the team's main defensive midfielder.
Matic said: "Since Kante came, he’s worked more behind me and his job is what I have done for the last two years.
"I have a little bit more freedom to get forward, as long as there is space, but when we defend I have to get back to help him.
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"He is doing a great job, I know it is not easy for him. I wish him all the best for the rest of the season because he needs to run a lot.
"It's very hard [playing in that position], but it's his job. He needs to do that."
Kante has been nicknamed 'The Rat' by Chelsea team-mate Eden Hazard due to popping up everywhere on the field, while Stamford Bridge legend Claude Makelele hopes to see his compatriot become a better holding midfielder than he was at the club.
Makelele said lat month: "You must be a leader. You must work with your team-mates in midfield.
"I like N'Golo Kante, but is he better than me at this? I do not know. He still needs time to fully learn the job, to learn about football.
"He is a young player I really like, and I hope he will be better than I was."
