Former Chelsea defender Scott Minto says N'Golo Kante has the quality to become the next Michael Essien.

Scott says the Frenchman has the skills to field the void created by the exit of the Ghana international.

Kante has impressed since he joined the Blues after helping Leicester City to clinch the English Premier League crown.

But Scott Minto is confident Kante can become the new Michael Essien if he revert to his preferred role.

"I understand what Sarri is trying to do and what he did at Napoli with Jorginho playing as that playmaker," Minto told The Brian Moore Show (weekdays 3pm-7pm).

"Kante for me is the best defensive midfielder in the world in that destructive role, stopping teams counter-attacking, trying to win the ball back and protecting the back four."