Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has supporters scratching their heads this season after shifting Kante from his regular central midfield role into a wider and more attacking position.
The tactical switch came under scrutiny following Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Tottenham last weekend, as Sarri’s preferred defensive midfield player, Jorginho, was exposed and Spurs ran riot.
But on Wednesday, Sarri criticised Kante for his performance at Wembley and said the World Cup winner is not technically good enough to play the holding role in his system.
Incredulous at the manager’s comments, Saunders said; “He’s wrong, he’s totally wrong what he’s saying.
“Kante is the best player in his position in the world. He sees danger and he thinks like a defender.
“Think about it; Danny Drinkwater got in the England squad because he’s playing alongside him.
“Paul Pogba wins the World Cup and looks like a player… look who’s playing alongside him. David Luiz looked like a centre-half last season, looks who’s in front of him and protecting him.
“He is the best player of his type in the world – he’s like having two players on the pitch.
“It’s that wrong that if I hadn’t have heard the interview, if it was in print, I would have thought he’d been stitched up – there’s no way he’s said all that.
“But we’ve just heard it!
“I can’t believe he’s said that in public.
“He’s hammered him.”
Was Sarri right in his public criticism of the French midfielder?