Conte's eleventh hour phone call prevented N'Golo Kante's transfer to Arsenal

Antonio Conte may well be the man Chelsea have to thank for the riches N'Golo Kante has brought to the club over the years.

Kante played a vital role in the 2-0 win over Real Madrid on Wednesday night that booked Chelsea ’s place in the final of the Champions League.

The World Cup-winning Frenchman is now into his sixth season at Stamford Bridge, and it doesn’t look like he’ll be leaving any time soon.

There was time when he briefly dropped out of favour under Frank Lampard, but he is back to his rip-roaring best these days under Thomas Tuchel.

But Kante could have been playing against Chelsea instead of for them, if it weren’t for former boss Conte.

According to The Telegraph, the 30-year-old was in the latter stages of sealing a move to Arsenal after guiding Leicester to that shock Premier League title win.

However, an ambitious Conte reportedly told Kante that he would be able to win back-to-back titles with Chelsea.

And to Conte’s credit, that is exactly what happened, as the Italian guided the Blues to their fifth Premier League crown.

Tuchel is the man who now reaps the benefits of having Kante running tirelessly in his midfield.

And the German admits that has always “dreamed” of having a player like Kante.

“He is the guy who needs to win trophies and that’s why we are so, so happy that he’s here,” said Tuchel.

“I’ve been dreaming about this player, fighting for this player at any club I was coaching, so now he’s my player and, as you mentioned, he’s won every trophy except the Champions League.

“Hopefully, he will do everything that he can to help us get this trophy.”