World Cup 2018: 5 candidates for the Golden Ball Award

#2 N'Golo Kante (France)

Kante has been irrepressible for Les Bleus

Engine room, tackler, the first line of defence and all-around action hero, Kante's already well-established reputations as one of the planet's best defensive midfielders has only gotten better as the tournament has progressed.

The Chelsea star has quietly and efficiently done the dirty work in the centre of Les Bleus' midfield with his tackling, marking, ball winning and decision making all being top notch.

With the exception of Sergio Aguero's goal in the 2nd round match between France and Argentina, Kante has been faultless for the other three goals that the team has conceded so far.

His presence and ability curtailed Christian Eriksen in the last group game against Denmark. He brilliantly marshalled Lionel Messi in the match against the Albiceleste while the entire Uruguayan attack got no change out of him in the quarterfinal clash.

His brilliance has also helped Paul Pogba play a more central role in dictating play for the French and has definitely made the Manchester United star play better than he has been doing for a while.

The centre-back pair of Raphael Varane and Samuel Umtiti have had little to do thanks to his contributions and were France to lift its second World Cup on Sunday, Kante will be a shoe in for the Golden Ball.