According to a report by Football London on Saturday November 7, 2026, Timo Werner has praised former Chelsea teammate N’Golo Kante, describing the midfielder as an influential presence whose impact on matches reminded him of Lionel Messi, despite their contrasting positions and responsibilities.

The German forward shared the pitch with Kante at Stamford Bridge, and both celebrated Champions League success in 2021 under Thomas Tuchel. Kante delivered a standout performance against Manchester City in the final.

Although Kante rarely dominated headlines through goals or assists, his defensive contribution made him exceptional. His relentless running, ball-winning ability and positional awareness helped Chelsea regain possession and protect their defence consistently.

Werner recalled that Kante played without appearing burdened by pressure, despite being a World Cup winner. He said the midfielder seemed simply to enjoy competing and taking the ball away from opponents naturally.

“Playing with him was like having a 12th man on the pitch,” Werner explained, emphasising how Kante’s presence gave teammates confidence and made Chelsea feel far stronger across the entire football field.

That additional defensive support allowed Chelsea’s attacking players to concentrate on creating chances and troubling opponents near goal. Kante’s tireless work reduced their defensive responsibilities and strengthened the team’s overall balance.

Werner believes Kante’s influence during his peak years was comparable to Messi’s ability to change matches. However, he stressed that the Frenchman transformed games through defensive excellence rather than attacking brilliance.

He explained that having a player who consistently made the team feel numerically superior defensively was truly extraordinary. Kante’s ability to recover possession and cover ground gave Chelsea a significant advantage in matches.

Werner’s comments underline the midfielder’s importance to Chelsea’s Champions League triumph and explain why teammates valued him so highly. For Werner, Kante was an exceptional match-winner whose influence extended far beyond statistics.