Tuchel feels the French midfielder “always gives everything to help anybody on the pitch” as Chelsea prepare for the second leg of the Champions League semifinals.
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Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has opened up about what N’Golo Kante brings to the team. With Blues set to welcome Real Madrid to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, Tuchel has heaped praise on “nice guy” Kante. The French midfielder played a pivotal role in Chelsea drawing the first leg of the Champions League match 1-1 against Real Madrid last week. His tireless work rate paid dividends as the Blues took home a crucial away goal.
“He needs to accept that will cuddle him, I do this a lot,” Tuchel said in the press conference ahead of the Real Madrid clash. “He is a nice guy, almost a shy person. He is quiet, he likes his own quality time and he is not loud. I see him smile a lot, I see him interact with everybody but on his own terms, very shy and polite but I am so happy that players like him exist. It is a pleasure to watch.”
Tuchel is understandably happy to have the Frenchman in his squad. “What he is doing with his mentality, a real helper always gives everything to help anybody on the pitch as such a nice, humble and quiet guy. He is the guy you need to win trophies. That is why I am so, so happy that he is here,” he further said.
Speaking about how Kante has not won a Champions League, the Chelsea boss said he will be a “key” player against the Spanish giants on Wednesday. “I have dreamed about this player, fighting for this player at any club I was coaching at and now he is my player,” he added.
“He has won many trophies except for the Champions League. I am sure he will be doing everything to get this trophy. For me, he is an example, an unbelievable input for any team in the world. He is key; he will be key tomorrow.”
Tuchel also informed that Mateo Kovacic will miss the second leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. “Mateo [Kovacic] will not be in the squad,” he added.
“I think that Toni [Rudiger] will play with a mask because he trained yesterday in a mask. Everybody else is in training today, so hopefully, we will have no new injuries today and that means everybody is available except for Kovacic.”
