Ahead of their league fixture against Chelsea this weekend, Burnley midfielder Joey Barton has praised N’Golo Kante, calling him the “best player in the Premier League.”
The 25-year-old, who earns £100,000-a-week, has become a key part of Antonio Conte’s side since signing from Premier League champions Leicester City, starting all but one of Chelsea’s league fixtures this season, and losing just three times in 23 appearances.
The Frenchman’s excellent defensive contribution has been thrust into the spotlight this week, after stats revealed that he’s made more tackles than any other player in the Premier League in the last three seasons. That’s despite the midfielder having only featured in the last two seasons, and this campaign still has another 14 games to play.
Despite Kante’s form, Burnley will be hoping to main their impressive home form this season, having won nine of their 13 league games at Turf Moor and are on a run of five straight league wins at home.
Burnley’s Barton has revealed his admiration for Kante ahead of the game at Turf Moor on Sunday.
“I’m focused on Burnley. I’ve got N’Golo Kante and Chelsea on Sunday afternoon,” he told talkSPORT.
“I’ve got to use every bit of energy I’ve got trying to turn in a performance against arguably the best player in the league.
“This is the Premier League and we play Chelsea at home on Sunday. I can’t waste any energy looking back over my shoulder because the challenge in front of me in incredible.”
Barton’s Burnley side take on table-toppers Chelsea on Sunday 12th February at 1.30pm.
COMMENTS