Cape Town - Former France international Claude Makelele believes that countryman N'Golo Kante "needs to play in a big team", amidst persistent rumours of a potential transfer in the off-season.
The 25-year-old Leicester City midfielder is currently enjoying his end-of-season break after representing Les Blues at Euro 2016 in France.
However, with his release clause reportedly set at around £20m, the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal have been tipped to make a move for the former Caen player.
It remains to be seen whether the Foxes can convince Kante to stay at the King Power Stadium, though, as they look to offer him a new deal in a bid to retain his services.
When asked about comparisons between himself and Kante, Makelele told The Sun: "I don't want N'Golo Kante to be compared with me.
"Kante can be Kante. I want him to be more than me, but I love to watch him play because you can see in him the joy. I love the kind of player like that, who plays for the team.
"Sometimes you see a team with big players, but for me whenever a team is winning it is because of spirit."
Makelele added: "He arrived in a good way, now he wants to play in the Champions League. It's another competition, another stress, just like the national team. He needs to get everything from every experience.
"He still has the same way of playing, the same happiness, but he needs to play in a big team."