Central Midfield: N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)
When Leicester City won the Premier League title against all odds, most of the adulation was understandably reserved for Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy. But N'Golo Kante did get his fair share of praise after a whirlwind of a season.
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Which is why the Foxes struggled desperately to avoid getting relegated following his departure to Chelsea. And at Stamford Bridge, Kante upped his game several levels thanks to Antonio Conte's organisation and tactical changes.
The French midfielder deservedly walked away with the Player of the Year award - a recognition hardly ever given to defensive midfielders - after his peers recongised the difference when Chelsea played with and without him in the XI.
His disruptive influence is what is key to denying opponents a chance to build up play and also initiate Chelsea counter-attacks. Among all the signings Conte has made, convincing Kante to forego Champions League football to sign for the Blues will count as one of the biggest coups of his managerial career so far.
Kante is now valued at €50m but in this inflated transfer market, the 26-year-old is worth almost twice that.
