Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has described Chelsea star N'Golo Kante as the most "beloved player in the history of football".
Although the duo are rivals in terms of their respective clubs, with Chelsea and United frequently battling it out in the Premier League and domestic cup competitions, they are, of course, close friends given their international connections.
The pair were central to helping France win the FIFA World Cup in Russia in 2018 and will be hoping to dominate Les Blues' midfield when the European Championship's get underway in less than a month's time.
Kante, who joined Chelsea from Leicester City in the summer of 2016 following an outstanding campaign with the Foxes, helping them win the Premier League title, has developed into one of the best all-round midfielders in the world, with it frequently being suggested that he can do the jobs that two or three players would struggle to do.
Now, fellow countryman Pogba has waxed lyrical about the 30-year-old, who returned to the starting line-up for the Blues' FA Cup final defeat to Leicester yesterday teatime.
"He cheats a lot. A lot," Pogba told beIN Sports, as quoted by the Evening Standard. "At card games, board games. Honestly, I'm telling the truth. He cheats. He says he doesn't cheat, but he does. He uses cunning. He's a smart kid, N'Golo. But it's okay. You have to love him.
"He's the most beloved player in the history of football. You've got to love him, you cannot hate him, it is not possible. He is humble, kind, professional. He will never complain, he will work.
"He's got everything. He's good technically, with a good passing quality, and he's everywhere on the pitch. I even say he appears out of the ground! You don't see him, and — poof — he's out! He gets the ball, he has the finish. He's everywhere.
"To have a player like that by your side, what more can you ask for?'"
Last month, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel hailed Kante's talents, admitting that his family "love" to watch the France international.
"N'Golo is incredible; he is like one and a half or two players," Tuchel admitted in April. "Everybody who sees him for the first time loves him.
"All of my family love him when they watch our games now.
"It is so nice to have him and he gives everyone confidence."
.png?w=600)
