Former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas hailed 'big game player' N'Golo Kante for his display in the Blues' 1-1 draw away at Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first-leg.
Thomas Tuchel's side scored an early Christian Pulisic away goal in the Spanish capital but were pegged back later in the first-half by Karim Benzema's acrobatic effort.
But for Fabregas, who left the Blues in 2019 to join current club Monaco, it was the performance of former Chelsea team-mate Kante, who won the man of the match award on Tuesday night, who caught the eye at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.
The 33-year-old tweeted during the game: 'N’golo has always been a big game player. Never doubt him. He plays for 2.'
Fabregas and Kante played together at Stamford Bridge for two-and-a-half seasons, picking up Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League medals together.
Kante has stayed on at Chelsea since Fabregas departed to France and has now formed a fixed central midfield partnership with Jorginho in the heart of Tuchel's side.
Spanish midfielder Fabregas was not the only person to admire Kante's display on Tuesday night, with BT Sport and BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker admiring the midfielder who used to play for his boyhood club Leicester City.
Lineker tweeted after the match: 'On way home from covering the game and expecting to be intercepted by @nglkante.'
Despite failing to win the Champions League last-four tie in the Spanish capital, Kante's Chelsea can take solace from the fact they scored a crucial away goal to take back to west London for next week's return fixture.
The Blues arguably should have added to their lead in Valdebebas, with Timo Werner firing a glorious chance from close-range straight at Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, with Ben Chilwell and substitute Hakim Ziyech also going close.
At the other end, French striker Benzema struck the outside of the post in the first-half, while Raphael Varane should have done better with a late header from a corner inside the Chelsea penalty area.
Zinedine Zidane's Real go to Stamford Bridge next Wednesday knowing they must get past Tuchel's defence to reach yet another Champions League final under the French manager.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are looking to reach their first Champions League final since they won the competition back in 2012.
ChelseaFC_Addict
496
1.Where is Luka Modric?? = Kante's pocket 2.Where is Casemiro??= Kante's pocket 3. where is Toni Kroos??= Kante's pocket 4. OK last question, where is Kante? =Everywhere
RaiyanHasib
482
N'golo "is everywhere" Kanté was voted as the Man of the Match today. Totally deserved it 💙
babypian
475
N Golo Kante Heat Map Against Real Madrid
Omolowo
460
Where are the losers who think Casemiro somewhere near Kante come back fools
Renoclaws
405
kantè Vs Real Madrid midfielders
NAYFA
390
N'Golo Kante is named UEFA Player of the Match 🏆 He put on a clinic today 🔥
vatbdeoz
363
the only player that doesn't have hatter
AndrewWood
290
71% of the earth is covered with water and the rest is covered by N'golo Kante.
Rvicky
252
Kante is a colossal players,Tuchel is surely getting the best out of him by using him right.
Mikefriday
197
He was the man of match absolute nightmare for Madrid's midfield
Trevorn
194
Kante is actually a really fantastic player. His height and size, which a lot claims is a disadvantage for him is actually one of his strengths, and he's a very agile player too. The ability to slip past defenders with ease
tjamesjr
187
He ate Madrid cake partly but couldn't finish it because it was a bit bigger... kante really play to expectations today and now we know who d boss
Yhemy
148
It was yesterday that I understood why Guardiola said Chelsea played with 7 midfielders, Kante just kept multiplying and it was like chelsea had seven midfielders just as Pep said.
ishti
123
Whenever a Chelsea player gets the ball, Kante on the pitch