England legend Stuart Pearce rates N'Golo Kante as key to Chelsea's success this season.

Diego Costa and Eden Hazard have bounced back to form and taken the plaudits this season.

But Pearce says Kante's work in the engine room of Antonio Conte's side is the real reason the Blues have stormed six points clear at the top.

“Kante - I think he's been outstanding. Not just last season, this season as well," he told Sky Sports.

“Sometimes when you move clubs it's not always easy to settle in straight away.

“Chelsea have gone from mid-table to top of the league and I think this fella has got a lot to with that.

“For Leicester he was brilliant, for Chelsea he's been just as good."