N'GOLO KANTE VOTED PFA PLAYER OF THE SEASON

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has won the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year award for 2016-17 season.

The 26-year-old polled more than team-mate Eden Hazard, Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexis Sanchez in the vote cast by his fellow players.

Tottenham’s Dele Alli won the young player prize for the second successive year, while Manchester City’s Lucy Bronze won the Women’s Player of the Year award.

Birmingham’s Jess Carter was named Women’s Young Player of the Year.

Kante joined the Blues from last season’s Premier League champions Leicester in July 2016.

He was key to Leicester’s surprise Premier League win last year and could become first player to achieve the distinction of winning successive titles with different clubs if Chelsea win the title.

Since signing Kante in July, Chelsea have gone from a mid-table finish to the top of the pile with six games to play.

In his absence, Leicester have largely struggled to replicate their heroics of last season and are still not safe from relegation.

Reacting to his success,the Frenchman said it was a huge honour to be chosen by the other players.

“It’s the biggest honour to get this award.”

The France international has played every minute in the league this season apart from the Boxing Day game against Bournemouth, when he was suspended, and the final 11 minutes against Spurs on 4 January.

“My first two seasons were very beautiful. Last season was very beautiful. This season so far, we have had a good season but we have to finish well.