N'Golo Kante makes players around him better.
And that could not be truer of his role in Leicester City's title-winning season where his destructive work in midfield allowed the flair players like Riyad Mahrez and the attacking wrecking ball that is Jamie Vardy to wreak havoc further up the pitch.
That has continued in a Chelsea shirt and he has been integral to so many big victories for the Blues in recent years, not least last season's Champions League final when he outshone his former Leicester teammate to lift Europe's top prize.
And one game involving City in that famous 2015/16 season should be of interest to Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea amid rumours of reuniting the pair.
The duo combined to great effect in a 3-1 win for the Foxes at the Etihad, with Kante threading Mahrez in behind City's defence before lifting the ball over Nicolas Otamendi, gliding inside Martín Demichelis and then wheeling away in celebration after burying his effort past Joe Hart.
The pair's rapid ascent at Leicester ultimately saw them both secure their moves to Chelsea and City respectively and, following suggestions Chelsea might look to capitalise on the Algerian's contract winding down, they could yet line up together once again.
Mahrez, whose contract expires at the end of next season, has become the subject of interest from the world champions, according to French outlet Foot Mercato.
The report claims that Chelsea face strong competition from Paris Saint-Germain for the 31-year-old's services this summer, though.
Mahrez, who is valued at a rather paltry £36m by Transfermarkt, has directly contributed towards 10 goals and four assists for Pep Guardiola's side in the Premier League this campaign.
Chelsea have often struggled for goalscoring inspiration this season and appear keen to bolster Tuchel’s armoury.
The Blues can already count as many as three left-footed forwards among their ranks and while Mahrez certainly wouldn't be a priority for this Chelsea side, any opportunity to steal a key player from a title rival might see something opportune materialise.
It's worth remembering that Foot Mercato credited PSG with an interest in Mahrez too, shining a light on the French outfit's financial pulling power.
The winger has previously made clear his preference to be teammates with Kante as opposed to being part of an opposition lineup and that may represent a secret weapon for Chelsea should they choose to formalise any tentative interest in City's goalscoring wideman.
Speaking to RMC Sport (via Sports Illustrated) ahead of the 2021 Champions League final in Porto, Mahrez commented on how he feels facing Kante.
"It is true that it’s better to have him as a teammate rather than as an opponent. He is a great player and a great friend," he said.
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