According to a report by Football London on Saturday, November 7, 2026, former Chelsea striker Timo Werner has praised his former teammate N'Golo Kante, describing him as a special player whose influence on matches reminded him of Lionel Messi, despite playing in completely different positions.

Werner played alongside Kante at Stamford Bridge, where both players were part of the Chelsea squad that won the UEFA Champions League in 2021 under former manager Thomas Tuchel. The French midfielder was particularly impressive during the final against Manchester City, helping the Blues secure the trophy.

Although Kante was not known for scoring many goals or providing regular assists, his contribution to Chelsea's success was enormous. His energy, ability to win back possession and excellent understanding of the game made him one of the most important players in the team.

Werner recalled that Kante played with great freedom and rarely appeared under pressure, despite being a World Cup winner with France. According to the German forward, the midfielder simply enjoyed playing football and had a natural ability to take the ball away from opponents.

"Playing with him was like having a 12th man on the pitch," Werner explained, highlighting how Kante's presence made his teammates feel more confident and gave Chelsea an advantage across the pitch.

The midfielder's defensive work also allowed Chelsea's attacking players to concentrate more on creating chances and scoring goals. His ability to cover large areas of the pitch meant that his teammates did not always have to worry about their defensive responsibilities.

Werner believes Kante's influence during his best years was similar to the impact Lionel Messi had on matches. However, he explained that the French midfielder achieved this through his defensive qualities rather than attacking contributions.

He further highlighted how special it was to have a player who could consistently win possession, cover spaces and make the team stronger defensively.

Werner's comments show just how important Kante was to Chelsea's Champions League success and why he was highly respected by his former teammates. For the German striker, Kante was a player who could change the outcome of matches through his incredible work rate and influence, even without scoring goals or providing assists.