Pogba offers surprise opinion on “cunning” Kante

Paul Pogba has revealed his France teammate N’Golo Kante “cheats a lot”, but admits the Chelsea man is impossible to dislike.

The duo have struck up a formidable partnership on international duty, providing the midfield backbone for France’s 2018 World Cup triumph.

Kante is regarded as one of the most humble players in world football, but when it comes to matters off the pitch, Pogba claims the midfielder is by no means averse to delving into the dark arts.

“He cheats a lot,” Pogba told beIN Sports. “A lot. At card games, board games. Honestly, I’m telling the truth. He cheats.

“He says he doesn’t cheat, but he does. He uses cunning. He’s a smart kid, N’Golo. But it’s okay. You have to love him.

“He’s the most beloved soccer player in the history of football. You’ve got to love him, you cannot hate him, it is not possible.

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“He is humble, kind, professional. He will never complain, he will work.”

Kante picked up the man-of-the-match award in both legs of Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final victory over Real Madrid and has looked much more like his old self this season.

Pogba feels the midfielder’s unique skillset brings out the best in him.

“He’s got everything. He’s good technically, with a good passing quality, and he’s everywhere on the pitch,” said the Manchester United star.

“I even say he appears out of the ground! You don’t see him, and – poof – he’s out! He gets the ball, he has the finish. He’s everywhere.

“To have a player like that by your side, what more can you ask for?”

France kick off their delayed Euro 2020 campaign against Germany on June 15th, with the two heavyweights paired in a tricky group alongside Portugal and Hungary.

Manager Didier Deschamps is braced for an intense fight to qualify for the knockouts.

“It’s a difficult group, but I think that Joachim Low and Portugal head coach [Fernando Santos] think the same thing. It’s the hardest group, but we have to accept it,” Deschamps told Squawka after the draw was made in 2019.

“We will need to be ready at the beginning of the competition because our first game will be against Germany in Munich. They will play at home.

“On paper, it’s a tough group. These two teams have many qualities and they recently had good results.”