Kanté named Football Writers’ player of the year

The Football Writers’ Association has named Chelsea’s N’golo Kanté as its 2017 footballer of the year.

The Chelsea midfield maestro adds the FWA footballer of the year award to his previous PFA win.

Kante is the 20th player to hold both honours in the same season, two years after his teammate Eden Hazard achieved the feat.

The prestigious FWA accolade which has been awarded since 1948 will be received by the French midfielder at a gala in a London on May 18.

“With so many great players in this Chelsea squad and in the Premier League, for the Football Writers’ Association to name me their Footballer of the Year is a very proud moment in my career,” Kanté said.

“It is a fantastic honour to win this award.”

Kante defeated Hazard and Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli to win the award.

The Chelsea duo polled more than 65 per cent of the votes.

Kante is on the verge of winning his second successive Premier League title with two different clubs.

The 26-year-old was an integral part of Leicester’s championship-winning team last season.