By Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has been named the London Payer of the Year after his first season at the London club.
The summer signing from champions Leicester City has claimed the award ahead of the likes of Dele Ali, Alexis Sanchez, Danny Rose and Blues team-mate Diego Costa.
Kante proved to be one of the stand-out performers in Leicester’s remarkable title triumph in 2015-16 and has been similarly effective since moving to Stamford Bridge.
The midfielder has proved an ever-present in manager Antonio Conte’s midfield, making 30 appearances in all competitions and scoring one goal.
Kante said: “To be chosen by the players to be player of the year means a lot to me.
“It means the world to be chosen and it’s been two beautiful seasons, one with Leicester, and we are in good form with Chelsea. To be player of the year, it’s a great honour.”
On his move from Leicester to Stamford Bridge, Kante continued: “It’s a different type of playing, but with the manager, with the players, everything is easy, because we work a lot to be good in the games. It’s working very well.”
There was further recognition for Chelsea on the night, with Conte receiving the award for the best manager in London.
Premier League rival Mauricio Pochettino was also nominated, although the Italian claimed the prize having only joined the Blues in the summer.
Conte has guided Chelsea to 20 league wins from 26 matches thus far this season, with the west Londoners 10 points clear of second-placed Tottenham and closing in on the title.
