Former Chelsea forward Timo Werner has praised his former teammate N'Golo Kante, describing the French midfielder as a player whose influence on a football match could be compared to that of Lionel Messi. Although the two footballers operate in completely different positions and contribute to their teams in different ways, Werner believes Kante possessed a special ability to change the outcome of games through his exceptional performances.

Werner and Kante shared the dressing room at Chelsea, where they played important roles in the club's successful Champions League campaign under manager Thomas Tuchel. Their partnership reached its high point when Chelsea defeated Manchester City in the final to lift the European trophy. Kante delivered an outstanding performance during that encounter, demonstrating why he was regarded as one of the most important members of the team.

While the midfielder was not particularly known for scoring goals or providing assists, his contribution to Chelsea's success was enormous. His defensive awareness, tireless movement and ability to recover possession made him a crucial part of the team's structure. He regularly covered large areas of the pitch, disrupted opposition attacks and helped his teammates maintain control of difficult situations.

Werner explained that Kante approached every match with an extraordinary level of commitment, despite having already achieved considerable success in football, including winning the World Cup with France. According to the German forward, the midfielder never appeared satisfied with his previous achievements. Instead, his attention remained firmly focused on helping his team win and preventing opponents from enjoying possession.

The former Chelsea striker also described playing alongside Kante as having an additional player on the pitch. He suggested that the midfielder's presence created the feeling that Chelsea had a numerical advantage, particularly when defending. His ability to anticipate danger, recover loose balls and provide support across different areas gave the rest of the squad greater confidence.

That additional defensive security was especially valuable to Chelsea's attacking players. With Kante constantly working to recover possession and protect the team's defensive structure, forwards could concentrate more on creating opportunities and troubling opposing defenders. They did not always have to worry about tracking back or covering every defensive responsibility because the Frenchman was capable of handling so much ground.

Werner believes Kante's influence during his strongest performances was comparable to Messi's ability to determine the direction of a match. However, he was careful to distinguish between their different qualities. While Messi changes games through his attacking creativity, technical ability and capacity to produce decisive moments in front of goal, Kante achieved a similar level of influence through his defensive intelligence and remarkable work rate.

The comparison highlights how footballers can dominate matches without necessarily contributing directly to goals. Kante's ability to win possession, interrupt dangerous attacks and make important defensive interventions often changed the momentum of games in Chelsea's favour. His influence could be felt throughout the pitch, even when his name did not appear on the scoresheet.

Werner's comments also explain why Kante received so much admiration from his former teammates. His performances provided Chelsea with balance, security and energy, allowing other players to express themselves more freely. Beyond his individual qualities, his willingness to work continuously for the collective benefit of the team made him an invaluable presence.

For Werner, Kante was not simply another talented midfielder but a genuine game-changer whose contribution extended far beyond traditional statistics. His importance to Chelsea's Champions League triumph demonstrated that a player's influence can be just as decisive through defensive excellence as it is through attacking brilliance.