Kante praises Chelsea boss Antonio Conte

New Chelsea signing N’Golo Kante has praised manager Antonio Conte in his first interview at the club, saying the Italian played a big role in his decision to swap champions Leicester City for the Blues.

Kante joined Chelsea from Claudio Ranieri’s side in a £32million deal last month, and has impressed Conte so much during his six days of training that the Chelsea manager is set to start the midfielder in the club’s next game against AC Milan at the US Bank Stadium on Thursday morning.

Kante has also been left impressed with Chelsea’s new manager, and admitted in his first interview at the club that the former Italy and Juventus boss’ passion and dedication to details was a big reason why he made the “difficult” decision to forsake Champions League football with Leicester and sign for the Blues.

“When I came to Chelsea, I knew it was a big club and I’m excited because next season will be very difficult,” Kante told Chelsea TV.

“It was a little bit difficult because what we did last season with Leicester was a very, very big achievement. But now it’s a new step for me and I hope good things will come.

“I chose Chelsea because I spoke with the manager here and when I did that, I felt the capacity of the manager and that is why I made my decision.

“And of course I like Premier League football and that is why I decided to stay in the Premier League.”

When asked specifically about Conte’s traits as a manager, Kante replied: “When I came, he told me he was pleased.

“Now I am discovering him – how he is training and what I can say is that he’s passionate and a hard worker. He likes to communicate and to make me understand what his idea of football is.

“He said he knows how I play and he thinks I can be a good player for his team and that’s why I came here.”