Kante voted Footballer of the Year

London: Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante edged out his teammate Eden Hazard to be voted the Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association.

The former Leicester City player is on the cusp of becoming the first outfield player since Eric Cantona to clinch back-to-back top-flight league titles in England with different clubs, having played a key role in Leicester City's improbable triumph last season, according to an espnfc report.

"It is a fantastic honour to win this award," the 26-year-old told the FWA website.

"With so many great players in this Chelsea squad and in the England Premier League (EPL), for the Football Writers' Association to name me their Footballer of the Year is a very proud moment in my career."

FWA chairman Patrick Barclay added: "N'Golo Kante could not be a more deserving winner of English football's most prestigious individual award.

"In the view of some FWA members, he would have been a worthy recipient last season for his contribution to Leicester's title success, but the almost unbroken excellent form of Chelsea since he changed clubs has left little room for further debate.

"Considering the competition of Eden Hazard and other players from Chelsea in particular, this is a great achievement."