Kanté 89 CDM Review: ELITE Defensive Beast? (290K)

N'Golo Kanté's 89 Thunderstruck CDM card is a defensive powerhouse that brings elite ball-winning ability to your midfield. With 95 standing tackle, 93 defensive awareness, 91 interceptions, and a remarkable 95 balance, this card plays exactly like you'd expect from the French maestro. At 290K coins, he sits in the affordable elite tier for Weekend League grinders who need a reliable CDM anchor. The combination of 90 reactions, 90 stamina, and Controlled AcceleRATE type makes him a box-to-box nightmare for opponents, though his 168cm height and limited attacking output (70 finishing, 70 long shots) mean he's strictly a defensive specialist.

In-game feel & playstyle

Kanté feels absolutely phenomenal on the ball thanks to his 95 balance - the best you'll find on any CDM in this price bracket. His 83 agility and 85 ball control combine with that balance to create a surprisingly nimble player who can wriggle out of tight spaces in midfield. The Controlled AcceleRATE type isn't ideal for box-to-box runs, but with 82 acceleration and 82 sprint speed, he has more than enough pace to track back and shut down counterattacks. His 90 reactions and 87 composure mean he rarely makes positioning mistakes, and the 4-star skills give you enough technical ability for quick turns and ball rolls. The standout feature is his defensive AI - with 93 defensive awareness, he's constantly in the right position to intercept passing lanes (91 interceptions) without you needing to manually control him. His 95 standing tackle feels like a magnet when you do engage, though at 168cm he does get bullied by taller, stronger attackers in 50/50 challenges despite his 75 strength and 88 aggression.

Strengths

• Best-in-class balance (95) for a CDM - Combined with 83 agility, this makes him incredibly responsive and hard to knock off the ball. He can turn on a dime and recover from awkward positions that would leave slower CDMs exposed. This stat alone makes him feel elite compared to clunkier alternatives like Tchouaméni or Casemiro.
• Elite defensive stats across the board - 95 standing tackle, 93 defensive awareness, 91 interceptions, and 90 sliding tackle create a complete defensive package. He wins the ball cleanly in Weekend League without giving away cheap fouls, and his AI positioning is exceptional when left on stay back while attacking.
• Outstanding stamina (90) and work rate AI - He covers every blade of grass for 90 minutes without dropping below 75% stamina. Perfect for high-pressure tactics and constant team press. You can sprint with him defensively all game without worrying about him being gassed in extra time.
• Reliable passing under pressure (87 short passing, 84 long passing) - His 82 vision and 87 composure mean he rarely misplaces simple passes even when pressed. Not flashy, but he'll consistently recycle possession and start attacks with safe distribution.
• 4-star weak foot and 4-star skills - Gives him enough technical versatility for quick skill moves (ball roll, fake shot) and he can pass/shoot reasonably well on both feet. Rare to find this combination on a pure CDM.
• Excellent value at 290K - For an elite defensive CDM with French nationality (easy links to Mbappé, Dembélé, Theo Hernández), he's significantly cheaper than Icons like Vieira (2M+) or Makelele (1.5M+) while offering 90% of the defensive impact.
• 90 reactions make him responsive in all situations - Whether it's blocking passing lanes, recovering from tackles, or tracking runs, his high reactions stat ensures he feels sharp and never sluggish like lower-tier CDMs.

Weaknesses

• Height is a major liability (168cm) - He loses aerial duels constantly against any striker or CAM above 180cm. His 60 heading accuracy and 80 jumping can't compensate for being 15-20cm shorter than most meta attackers. Avoid using him as the last man in your defense.
• Controlled AcceleRATE limits box-to-box potential - He doesn't have the explosive acceleration to make those surging runs from midfield. If you need your CDM to join attacks or make late runs into the box, he's not the player. His 76 positioning and 70 finishing confirm he's not an offensive threat.
• Strength feels underwhelming (75) for a CDM - Despite 88 aggression, he gets bodied off the ball by physical strikers like Haaland, Lukaku, or Vlahović in shoulder-to-shoulder battles. You need to rely on timing and positioning rather than brute force.
• Limited attacking contribution - 70 finishing and 70 long shots mean he's useless in the final third. If he breaks into the box on a corner, don't expect him to score. His 76 shot power also makes his long shots weak and easy to save.
• Saudi League club chemistry limits squad building - Playing for Al Ittihad means he doesn't have strong club links unless you're running a Saudi League hybrid. You'll need to rely on French nationality links or icons to get him on full chemistry in most meta squads.

Best position, chemistry style & squads

Position: CDM in a 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 holding, or 4-1-2-1-2 (2) formation. Use him as the stay back CDM in a dual pivot, or as the lone anchor if you have defensively solid CMs beside him. His high defensive awareness and stamina make him perfect for covering space and breaking up play centrally.

Chemistry Style: Shadow is the obvious choice to boost his 82 pace to the mid-90s (important for tracking fast attackers) while maxing out his already elite defensive stats. This turns him into a true meta CDM who can keep up with Mbappé and Vinícius on the counter. Alternatively, Engine is viable if you want to maximize his dribbling (87+) and passing for more progressive play, though you sacrifice defensive boosts.

Squad Fits: He's easiest to link in French national team hybrids - pair him with Mbappé, Dembélé, Griezmann, Theo Hernández, or Camavinga for instant chemistry. Icon links work well if you're running a mixed squad. Despite playing in the Saudi League, his French nationality is strong enough that you won't struggle to fit him in most meta squads. Just avoid relying on club links unless you're doing a Saudi League team.

Community opinion & what FUT players are saying

The Weekend League community is split on Kanté - elite-level players love him for his defensive reliability and balance, while casual players find him underwhelming due to his height and lack of attacking threat. Competitive grinders praise his AI positioning and stamina, noting he's one of the few CDMs who can press for 90 minutes without losing effectiveness. Many compare him favorably to more expensive options like Vieira or Makelele, saying he offers 85-90% of their defensive impact at a fraction of the cost. The main complaint is his height - players report him losing headers constantly against tall strikers and getting bullied in physical battles despite his aggression. Some users have switched him to a CM role in a 4-1-2-1-2 to minimize aerial duels, while others pair him with a taller CDM like Tchouaméni in a double pivot. His links are praised for French squads but criticized for anyone running Premier League or La Liga teams without French players. Overall, he's viewed as an excellent budget-to-mid-tier CDM who excels at what he does (ball-winning, stamina, balance) but has clear limitations (height, attacking) that prevent him from being truly elite.

Final verdict & ratings

Who should buy:

• Players running French squads or hybrids who need a reliable ball-winning CDM with excellent stamina and balance
• Weekend League grinders who value defensive AI, interceptions, and stamina over physical presence and attacking contributions
• Budget-conscious players looking for elite defensive stats (95 standing tackle, 93 def awareness) without paying 1M+ for Icons
• Anyone who plays high-pressure, constant team press tactics and needs a CDM who won't tire after 60 minutes

Who should skip:

• Players who need their CDM to win aerial duels or compete physically with tall, strong strikers
• Those looking for box-to-box contributions, late runs into the box, or any offensive threat from the CDM position
• Squad builders who can't accommodate French links and need Premier League or La Liga club chemistry
• Anyone who wants an Explosive or Lengthy AcceleRATE type for pace-focused counterattacking tactics

Our ratings:

• Meta rating: 16.5/20 - Elite defensive stats and exceptional balance make him viable in Division 1 and Weekend League, but his height and limited attacking output prevent him from being truly top-tier. He's a specialist who excels in his role but has clear weaknesses.
• Fun rating: 14.0/20 - Satisfying to use defensively with his tackles and interceptions, but his lack of attacking threat and inability to win headers makes him one-dimensional. 4-star skills add some flair, but he's not exciting going forward.
• Value for coins: 17.5/20 - Outstanding value at 290K for the defensive quality you're getting. Significantly cheaper than Icon alternatives (Vieira, Makelele) while offering comparable ball-winning ability. French links add extra value for meta squad builders.

Conclusion