Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic has said that he rates teammate N'Golo Kante as a better defensive midfielder than Claude Makelele.

Makelele holds legendary status at Stamford Bridge for his contribution to Chelsea's two Premier League title triumphs after the arrival of Roman Abramovich but Matic has insisted that he is more impressed with Kante, who Chelsea signed from Leicester City earlier in the summer.

The 28-year-old told Sky Sports News: "Many people say that he is the new Makelele, but I don't think so. Makelele was a great player and we all respect him, me especially because I know that position and how it is difficult to play.

"But I think that N'Golo is better than him. He is doing his defensive job very well and with the ball he has some extra quality."

Kante has started in each of Chelsea's Premier League fixtures this season, with Antonio Conte's side recording maximum points during August.