N’Golo Kante has revealed how he snubbed Jose Mourinho’s pleas to join him at Manchester United in favour of Chelsea
The Special One wanted to bring the French international to Old Trafford but he chose a £30m move to Chelsea
N’GOLO KANTE has told how he snubbed Jose Mourinho this summer.
The Manchester United boss called the France midfielder, 25, trying to persuade him to swap Leicester for Old Trafford.
He wanted Kante to be the fulcrum of his new-look side and was willing to pay £25million-plus for him.
But despite the personal plea, Kante turned his back on the Special One.
And he then revealed he was bowled over by Antonio Conte’s Chelsea project as he agreed his switch to West London.
Kante said: “It was amazing to have Mourinho call me, even though I’d been warned before how he would appeal to me.
“I listened to his arguments about why I should move to United.
“But at that time I was hesitant between staying at Leicester or leaving for Chelsea.
“My discussions with them were already well underway. But when I spoke, I had a good feeling with Conte.”
That good feeling eventually turned into a £29m deal taking him to Stamford Bridge.
It also represented the first win, so far, for Conte over his illustrious Chelsea predecessor.
Kante added: “At Chelsea I’m in a star-studded dressing room.
“Being the star of the game doesn’t interest me. That’s the highest level, unless you have exceptional qualities.