Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville says Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was right to opt against selling N’Golo Kante in the summer.

The Frenchman was heavily linked with a move to Inter Milan but, despite claims in the English press that the Blues were weighing up selling the World Cup winner, the decision was made to keep him. Neville says it was the correct choice considering his recent performances for the club:

“When I saw reports over the summer that Kante might leave, I was shocked. I thought, ‘Frank, he is not a player you want to lose’. He is a unique player and every player in that squad must love him. He does that job brilliantly.”

With West Ham midfielder Declan Rice still believed to be Chelsea’s main target for the January transfer window, it remains to be seen how long Kante will be a regular first-team starter.

The France international was certainly back to his best against Burnley at the weekend, playing as the solitary holding midfield player but, it must be pointed out, that he hasn’t always been at the top of his game this season.

If he carries on with the same level of performance he showed at Turf Moor, Lampard will certainly not be taking him out of the team anytime soon.