N'Golo Kante: Why the ex-Chelsea man's shock return to France squad is well-deserved

N'Golo Kante has been selected for France's 25-man Euro 2024 squad, marking his return to international football after a two-year absence.

Kante last played for Les Bleus in June 2022 and missed the 2022 World Cup due to injury.

While the ex-Chelsea man may not be at the peak of his powers, his decline was largely due to injuries.

During his final season at Chelsea, he struggled to make any lasting impact, but his presence on the pitch always improved the performance of those around him.

Let's not forget that Kante was instrumental in Chelsea's 2021 Champions League triumph and played a key role in France's 2018 World Cup-winning squad.

After moving to Saudi Arabia, many thought it would be the end of his career, but the former Leicester man has bounced back strongly.

He has made 41 appearances for Al Ittihad and started 11 consecutive games, indicating he has regained his physical fitness and form, earning him a well-deserved recall to the national team

Explaining Kante's selection, Deschamps said, per RMC Sport:

"N'Golo Kante was coming out of a 2022/2023 season where he did not play much. Now he has had a full season, certainly not in a European championship but he has regained all his physical abilities.

"From his experience, I am convinced that the French team will be better with him."