N’Golo Kante shocks Chelsea fans after David Luiz and Willian reveal restaurant story

Kante joined Chelsea in 2016 and lifted the Premier League in his first season, following on from his spectacular title-winning campaign with Leicester the season prior.

The Frenchman has garnered a spotless media reputation in England for his exceptional midfield performances, as well as his humility.

It is well-known that the 27-year-old still drives a modest Mini Cooper, despite the late Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha buying 19 BMW i8’s for his 2015/16 title-winning squad.

Kante drew more adoration from fans earlier this season when he visited a supporter’s house after missing his train back from a game.

The World Cup-winner was pictured having curry, playing Fifa 18 and watching Match of the Day with a group he befriended at a local mosque.

“It’s Islamic teaching to invite guests to your house for dinner, so I asked him,” Badlur Rahman Jalil told BBC Sport.

“He came with me and my brother because he was on his own and said he was only going to go home anyway. He was on a protein diet so we had a chicken curry. He even had a cup of tea.

“He beat us all at Fifa and then we watched Match of the Day. It was a really nice evening.”

Chelsea teammates Luiz and Willian have now revealed a new side to the midfielder in an interview with Chelsea TV, however.

The Brazil internationals, alongside football advisor Kia Joorabchian, took ownership of Italian restaurant Babbo in Mayfair, London in the spring.

Upon the opening, Blues talisman Eden Hazard cheekily asked for a free meal, but it has emerged that Kante is sincere in that respect.

“Normally [our team-mates] come [to our restaurant] and they don’t want to pay,” said Luiz. “Especially N’Golo.”

Willian added: “If you ask N’Golo ‘pay’, he does like that: ‘Yeah? I have to pay? Oh no!’

“‘You and David, you’re good, you have a good heart.’

“Even if I say it in front of [everyone], he says: ‘I’m not gonna pay.’”