N'Golo Kante has insisted playing in Saudi Arabia helped earn his recall to the France squad for Euro 2024
And the former Leicester and Chelsea midfielder claimed he is ready to play a central role in Germany. The 2018 World Cup champion won the 2021 Champions League with the Stamford Bridge club before the end of his Premier League career was dogged by injury.
Signing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad for £30m in June last year seemed to signal the end of his international career. Jordan Henderson lasted less than six months at Stevie Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq before returning to European football at Ajax - and still missed out on England selection this summer.
But Kane, now 33, has played 44 matches this season and earned his first call-up since June 2022 from Didier Deschamps. He could win his 54th cap against Luxembourg in Metz on Wednesday night.
“It’s the fruit of work from a good season, it’s deserved for that,” Kante said. “When the coach picks someone, he picks the player and the person. If he chose me, it's because he thinks I can help the team go as far as possible.
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“I'm almost the same. I don't have any doubts, I'm coming out of a season with a lot of matches, very close matches, I've been doing it all season. I have good feelings, I feel capable of playing my part in the Euros."
Kante won the 2016 Premier League with Leicester and was man-of-the-match when Chelsea beat Manchester City in the 2021 Champions League final. But he suffered a serious hamstring injury in August 2022 and played only nine games in his final season in England.
“2021 remains one of the pinnacles of my career,” he recalled. After that, it was more complicated with Chelsea with less good results and some injuries. Going to Saudi Arabia was beneficial for me. It was a good way to get back in shape and play matches, I’m happy to have made this choice.”
N'Golo Kante has won the World Cup with Les Blues (FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)Kante’s recall was a surprise but he has already impressed his team-mates - old and new - with his relaxed, smiling demeanour and in training. Right-back Jonathan Clauss said: "On the field, he is capable of occupying two positions at the same time. After training, we said to ourselves: 'There are two of them, one runs and the other plays football!'
Real Madrid ’s Aurelien Tchouameni is the first-choice holding midfielder but he has been out since May 8 with a metatarsal injury. Youssouf Fofana and Eduardo Camavinga are alternatives but Kante, whose lack of ego make him an ideal squad player, could yet start against Austria in their opening Group D game on June 17.
The coach will choose,” he said. I'm ready to give everything, the best of myself. You have to be ready and put the team first. For the national side, this is what must come first, even more than for your club.”
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