Chelsea ‘nice guy’ N’Golo Kante admits he cheats… at cards
World Cup winner - famed for being one the nicest guys in football - revealed he uses 'strategies' to beat team-mates
N'GOLO KANTE revealed a darker side to his squeaky-clean reputation after admitting to cheating in card games with his team-mates.
The World Cup winner has forged a glowing reputation for honesty and diligence both on and off the pitch.
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Yet Kante conceded he would use 'strategies' to try and beat his rivals when playing cards.
The midfielder said: "When you play cards and find yourself in a tricky situation, you'll use some little strategies - and that is what I have done from time to time.
"That is why my national teammates have called me a cheat. They are not completely right, as I am not the only person to have done it.
"But they are not wrong either."
The midfielder won the Premier League with Leicester in 2016 before moving to Chelsea for £30million and repeating the feat a year later.
The 2017 PFA Players' Player of the Year also revealed he struggled with motivation when returning to Chelsea after the World Cup.
Kante was a pivtoal part of France's midfield as they lifted the trophy after beating Croatia 4-2 in Russia.
But, having taken a holiday afterwards, Kante found himself turning up late for training - a problem he quickly rectified.
He added: "I just had a short holiday this summer after the World Cup finals.
"It was difficult for me to return to action with the same attitude as before.
"At the start of pre-season with Chelsea I would only just be turning up on time for training - and sometimes I showed up late.
"But the problem has been fixed since then.";
Chelsea host Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night.