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Football

12th Aug 2018

N’Golo Kante has been given a new role by Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri

If it ain't broke, fix it?

Darragh Murphy

You often hear that if something’s not broken, you shouldn’t try to fix it.

Nobody would argue that there was anything wrong with N’Golo Kante’s previous role for Chelsea but Maurizio Sarri is a fan of mixing things up.

Sarri got his debut season in the Premier League off to the perfect start as the Blues claimed a 3-0 victory over Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday.

Kante opened the scoring for the visitors, meaning he has already equalled his previous best tally for goals in a Premier League season.

Fans who have grown accustomed to seeing Kante sit in front of the defence and break up play with his matchless tackling ability and knack for interceptions were surprised to see the French midfielder occupy a more attacking position for large stages of the game.

The signing of Jorginho from Napoli means that Kante will have fewer holding midfield responsibilities for the season ahead and the recent World Cup winner has been instructed to play further up the pitch in Sarri’s new system.

“I think it was important to start very well, I think we came in the game very well,” Kante told beINSPORTS.

“We went into half-time with two goals and I think we managed the game in the second half. It was a good victory and a good start to the season.

“Yes it’s a new manager and a new system. I play a little bit more forward and I will give my best in this position for the team and I hope we can keep doing good things for the future.

“Yes it’s very true to be more offensive, to find the striker, to cause problems for the opponents and I think today we started well and I hope for the next game against Arsenal we can have a good result.”