It’s a club ritual at Chelsea to welcome new team-mates with a nickname, and one has been found for summer signing, N’Golo Kante.
Cesar Azpilicueta was christened ‘Dave’ by his colleagues because they claim his name was difficult to pronounce.
Now, Kante, signed from Leicester City, has gotten his fair share of the tradition and was nicknamed ‘The Rat’ by winger, Eden Hazard.
Kante has played a significant role in Chelsea’s 100 per cent start to the season, playing every minute of their three wins in the Premier League.
It is for this reason the 25-year-old got his new name from the Belgian. But asked about his new nickname, Kante conceded he was a bit baffled.
“I don’t understand very well what it means,” the France international told Chelsea TV.
But after it was explained that the nickname recognises his ‘mouse-like’ qualities on the pitch, Kante added: “I try to give my best for the team. If I have done well I am happy. I hope to keep going this way and hope the team keep winning.”
The 25-year-old stunned in his debut season as the Foxes clinched an unbelievable Premier League title last season.
His heroics with Claudio Ranieri’s team paved the way for his maiden France call-up which also saw him feature at the just concluded European Championship.
