A former Chelsea star fondly recalls his connection with Antonio Conte, the bond that sealed his move to Stamford Bridge and sparked a trophy-laden spell at the club.
N'Golo Kante has reflected on his move to Chelsea, insisting it was a decision he never questioned during his seven highly successful years at the club.
Kante joined Chelsea in 2016 after winning the Premier League with Leicester City, quickly forming a strong connection with then-manager Antonio Conte, who played a key role in bringing him to Stamford Bridge.
"I remember very clearly how the Chelsea signing came about. I was at Leicester, and we had had an incredible season. Shortly after winning the title, my agent called me and told me Chelsea were interested in signing me.
"There was immediately good chemistry with Antonio Conte. He was the manager who signed me, and I felt he knew what he wanted from me and what he wanted, and hoped, from the club.
"So from that moment I decided to join Chelsea, and I never regretted that choice -- it was perfect for me," he said.
Kante also recalled his debut for the Blues, which came in a London derby against West Ham United, describing it as a special moment despite receiving an early yellow card.
"I remember I was shown a yellow card, and perhaps I was lucky it was not a red, actually! I had already been booked, and then I committed another foul, but fortunately, the referee did not show me another yellow.
"That was my debut, a special moment and my first time playing at Stamford Bridge in a Blues shirt."
"Seeing the fans and playing in front of them as a Chelsea player for the first time was very special and something I will always remember very fondly," N'Golo added.
Since leaving Chelsea in the summer of 2023, Kante has not slowed down at all, despite stepping away from the media spotlight that comes with playing for a major European club. His time in Saudi football and his recent performances with the French national team show he remains an elite player.
With Al-Ittihad, he was crowned Saudi Pro League champion in the 2024/25 season, playing a key role in the club's return to the top. In that same season, he also won the King's Cup, completing a domestic double in Saudi Arabia. He is currently playing for Fenerbahce in Turkey.
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