FIFA Player of the Year power rankings: Can Chelsea star win it?

Chelsea's Italian midfielder Jorginho reacts at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in London on August 14, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Chelsea’s French midfielder N’Golo Kante runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on August 28, 2021. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

4. N’Golo Kante (Chelsea)

N’golo Kante is one of the world’s best defensive midfielder at the moment. Last season, he found his best form in a long time and managed to put in some outstanding performances for Chelsea in order to win them the UEFA Champions League. The French player—who seemingly never runs out of stamina—was one of the main reasons as to why the Blues managed to lift the prestigious trophy. The player played a monumental role in the knock-out stages, winning four Man of the Match awards, three of them in a row. His performances against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City were second to none, and his presence was so important for the Blues.

The 30-year-old was instrumental in the semifinals and the final as he was the man who made the difference. Chelsea was facing top teams like Real Madrid and Man City, but in the end, neither of the two could handle Kante at his best. The midfielder was not only doing a fantastic job on the defense, but he was also always looking to make a run forward to help out the attackers. When he was free, he would run up the pitch to make himself an option and when the opponents tried to start a counter-attack, he would already be there in the midfield to stop the attack from advancing. His efforts won him the UEFA Midfielder of the Year award.

Kante was truly in his best form near the end of last season. However, he did not start off the season well, and the Blues could not beat any of the top six teams in the first half of the season. He was then forced off the field due to injury but came back with renewed energy. He would have been a stronger candidate had France won the Euros, but Les Bleus were not up to the mark this time. His start to the current season has also not been great, and he was forced to substitute in the match against Liverpool for picking up a slight injury. While he was certainly one of the best players of last season, he has not been able to replicate that form in the current one as of now, and that is why he takes up the No. 4 spot.

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