Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have been the best two teams in the Premier League this season. The two London-based clubs occupy the top two places in the league standings, with Chelsea very well ahead of the chasing pack at the top and Spurs 10 points behind, at second place.
Under new manager Antonio Conte, the Blues have managed to put behind their struggles of last season and have become a stable unit. On the other hand, Tottenham have continued to build on their good work last season under the able leadership of Mauricio Pochettino.
The Style of Play
There are a lot of differences in the way the two teams play, but there are a lot of similarities among the two sides in the basic foundations required to achieve success in the Premier League. A strong and solid backline, a performing midfield and a striker who scores at will; all the boxes have been checked.
While each department on the field has been contributing vitally, the midfield area has been the biggest difference between this season and previous season. Chelsea, over the summer, added the best midfielder in the league and Premier League winner N’Golo Kante to their squad, while Tottenham brought in Victor Wanyama from Southampton.
Kante has continued from where he left off for Leicester City last season and looks good for his second Premier League winners medal in his second season in England. His energy and industriousness in the centre of the park has allowed his partner Nemanja Matic to prosper. With the Frenchman acting as a shield for the Chelsea defence, there hasn’t been too much pressure on the backline either.
On the other hand, Wanyama has added the much-needed tenacity to Tottenham midfield. An excellent anchorman in the middle, Wanyama has brought in solidity and stability, giving Tottenham the upper hand in most games. With the former Southampton man alongside, Mousa Dembele has excelled this season and is having his best season in Tottenham colours.
Both the midfielders have had a great impact after coming in during the summer and have become key members of their teams. But who wins the battle of the two powerhouses? Let’s analyse;
Kante vs Wanyama
The Attacking Prowess
On taking a look at the attacking statistics of the two midfielders, Kante, in his 26 appearances for Chelsea this season, has scored one goal but has no assists. On the other hand, Wanyama, having played one game more than the Frenchman has scored two goals and hasn’t set up a goal.
| Attacking Statistics | N’Golo Kante | Victor Wanyama |
| Games Played | 26 | 27 |
| Goals & Assists | 1 goal, 0 assists | 2 goals, 0 assists |
| Chances Created | 16 | 27 |
| Pass Accuracy | 88% (1402 Completed Passes) | 87% (1343 Completed Passes) |
| Successful Take-Ons | 28 (39 Attempted, 72% Success) | 33 (44 Attempted, 75% Success) |
Comparing the chances created by the two midfielders so far this season, Wanyama has the upper hand, having created 27 clear-cut opportunities compared to Kante’s 16. From the aspect of distribution, both the midfielders have been equally good with their passing and have enjoyed a similar success rate, having played an almost similar number of passes this season. They also have similar numbers in their attempted take-ons. Wanyama (44) has attempted five dribbles more than Kante (39), but they have enjoyed almost the same amount of success.
These two aren’t in the team for their attacking prowess, but both Kante and Wanyama have had great influence on things going forward for Chelsea and Tottenham respectively. By looking at the stats, it might look like Wanyama edges out Kante by the slightest of margins, but it must be noted that Kante has played one game lesser. However, it is nearly impossible to separate the two.
The Defensive Attributes
Given that their primary job in the team is to protect their defence, their defensive game demands to be at the top level all the time, and both Kante and Wanyama have been nothing short of brilliant.
Kante, in his 26 games, has attempted a whopping 143 tackles, coming out successful on 63 occasions. On the other hand, Wanyama, having played a game more, has attempted 136 tackles, and has come out with the ball 52 times. Owing to Wanyama’s physical stature, he has contested for more balls in the air than Kante and has a clear advantage in that prospect.
| Defensive Statistics | N’Golo Kante | Victor Wanyama |
| Tackles | 63 Successful (143 Attempted) | 52 Successful (136 Attempted) |
| Aerial Duels | 18 Successful (52 Attempted) | 49 Successful (106 Attempted) |
| Interceptions | 59 | 31 |
| Avg. Defensive Actions Per 90 Minutes | 4 | 4 |
| Defensive Errors | 1 | 2 |
| Yellow/Red | 6/0 | 7/0 |
Both the midfielders average four defensive actions per game, but on deep analysis, the Chelsea midfielder edges out Wanyama when it comes to interceptions.
Kante’s biggest asset is his ability to nip the attacks in the bud and has done so on 59 occasions this season, while Wanyama has made 31 interceptions. The Frenchman has made only one defensive error so far, that has directly led to an attempt on goal for the opposition, whereas the Kenyan has made one error more than Kante.
Wanyama’s disciplinary issues are well-professed since his Southampton days and not much has changed this season either. The Kenyan international has committed 54 fouls so far this term and has received seven yellow cards. In comparison, Kante has fouled an opponent on 40 occasions, receiving six cautions.
The Verdict
The statistics convey a clear story that when the defensive attributes of Kante and Wanyama are compared, it is the Frenchman who trumps the Tottenham midfielder and comprehensively so.
Both Kante and Wanyama have had played a huge role their respective teams and this sees the two teams have the joint best defensive record in the league, having conceded only 20 goals over the course of the season. Both the summer signings have had an amazing impact on their teams, but it is Kante, who comes out on top in the battle of the two midfielders.
*All Stats Taken from Squawka.com
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