N'golo Kanté

N'Golo Kanté's Champion card first arrived in DLS 25 as part of a special 12-player collection dedicated to real-life, record-breaking performances. These cards were only obtainable through a random draw via the Legendary Agent, making them a rare pull rather than a guaranteed pick. This particular 2016 edition celebrates the season that defined Kanté's career — the year Leicester City stunned the football world by winning the 2015/16 Premier League against 5000/1 odds, with Kanté as the engine room of that historic midfield. That same year, he carried his form into UEFA Euro 2016 with France, further cementing his reputation as one of the finest defensive midfielders in the world at the time.

DLS builds this 85-rated card around a clear defensive-midfield identity rather than an all-round attacking profile. The standout numbers are 95 Stamina and 93 Tackling, backed up by 82 Acceleration and 80 Speed that let him cover ground quickly across the pitch. His 82 Passing and 81 Control help him keep possession moving cleanly through midfield, while 76 Strength gives him enough physicality to hold his own despite his compact frame. The 68 Shooting confirms his role isn't about scoring — it's about winning the ball back and shutting down attacks. Listed at 168 cm with a right-footed preference, representing France in the DM position, everything about this card is tuned toward relentless work rate over raw physical presence.

Compared to the higher-rated names in the Champion lineup, an 85 OVR might look modest at first glance, but Kanté's card earns its place through specialisation rather than flashy attributes. Stamina and Tackling do the heavy lifting here, making him a card built to break up play and give a midfield real defensive stability. For managers who want an authentic destroyer in the DM role instead of a converted attacker, this 2016 Kanté remains one of the most recognisable and functional picks in the DLS Champion collection.