Cesc Fabregas showered heaps of praise on midfielder N’Golo Kante after Chelsea secured a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday night. 

Thomas Tuchel’s side got a crucial away goal through Christian Pulisic in the Spanish capital, but Madrid pulled one back through Karim Benzema.

Fabregas, who left the Blues in 2019 to join current club Monaco, was heavily impressed with Kante’s performance.

The dynamic French midfielder was adjudged man of the match and caught the eye at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.

N’golo has always been a big game player. Never doubt him. He plays for 2.

— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) April 27, 2021

Fabregas and Kante were a formidable midfield partnership at Stamford Bridge for two-and-a-half seasons, picking up Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League medals.

The former Arsenal star has suggested that the stage has been nicely set up for a fascinating return leg contest at the Bridge.

A close game in Madrid means we’re set up nicely for next week’s 2nd leg at the Bridge!