Didier Deschamps had a priceless reaction when N’Golo Kante arrived late for France duty
The France and Chelsea midfielder found his status as the nicest guy in football came in handy
N'GOLO KANTE turned up late for France training during the international break - but avoided being punished by manager Didier Deschamps.
The Chelsea midfielder was held up due to an issue with his train, which was 42 minutes late.
He was unable to join-up with his teammates at Les Bleus' Clairefontaine training base at the assigned time due to the delay.
But his status as among the nicest and most humble players in professional football helped him swerve what might have been a stern punishment from his superiors.
Upon eventually showing up nearly three-quarters-of-an-hour after his scheduled arrival time, Kante attempted to explain himself to Deschamps and his coaching team with a cheeky grin spread across his face.
But instead of reading the riot act, the coach merely joked: "But N'Golo, you are faster than the train."
MOST READ IN CHELSEA
Sarri slammed for Kante decision
THE Premier League's record-scorer Alan Shearer was left baffled by N'Golo Kante's positioning as Chelsea were thumped by Tottenham at the weekend.
Replaced by Jorginho for much of this season at the base of the Blues midfield, Spurs attacked at will in Kante's absence and cruised to a 3-1 success.
And with Kante having played the holding role in two title successes at Leicester and Stamford Bridge, Shearer has been left astounded by the change.
"Why Maurizio Sarri is not playing N’Golo Kante in front of his back four baffles me.
"Without the little French dynamo in that hole, tidying up, tracking runners, it leaves the Chelsea central defenders David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger massively exposed — as Spurs showed to such devastating effect on Saturday night."
Read what else Shearer had to say in his Sunsport column here
Kante would go on to feature in both of France's matches during the international break earlier this month - the 2-0 defeat to Netherlands and the friendly win over Uruguay - and it appears the incident has been entirely forgotten.
The 27-year-old is quickly developing a reputation for being a meek and kind individual in a sport which the public reputation of its biggest stars is chequered.
In stark contrast to many of his colleagues, Kante reportedly asked Chelsea for a "normal" salary upon joining them from Leicester City in 2016.
Recent revelations via Football Leaks disclosed that the former Caen man refused to sign up to a scheme which would have saved him £870,000-a-year on his salary.
Aware of the bad publicity created by tax investigations into players and clubs, Kante was keen to adhere to his obligations, and will now pay more into the public purse than Amazon thanks to his new £290,000-a-week wage.
Manager Maurizio Sarri said Kante should be proud of the revelation, which he was previously unaware of.
Upon moving to Stamford Bridge, Kante had to be urged into buying a car to travel to training - having initially stated his desire to run to the club's Cobham training centre.
Instead of purchasing a flash sports car, he went for a second hand Mini Cooper S which he continues to drive.
In September, after missing his Eurostar back to his homeland, a stranded Kante accepted an invitation to dinner from a supporter following the 4-1 Premier League win over Cardiff.
Having found a mosque to perform his evening prayers he was shepherded back to the house of a fan where he ate rice and curry and watched himself on Match of the Day.
Twitter user @jahrul999 described him as the “true definition of being humble" during the exchange.
AbzzyRahman added: “When your friend's younger brother meets Kanté in the mosque for evening prayers and invites him over for dinner. What a humble person Kanté is.”