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Football London
Football London
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Jake Stokes

Paul Pogba and Didier Drogba agree on surprise N'Golo Kante replacement for Chelsea to sign

Paul Pogba and Didier Drogba have both compared Antoine Griezmann to N'Golo Kante after France's 2-0 win over Morocco in the World Cup semi-final. The Atletico Madrid star has played an integral role in Didier Deschamps' side securing a place in the final having operated as both a forward and a midfielder.

Griezmann has started all but one of Les Bleu's fixtures in Qatar, directly contributing towards three goals. France's only defeat in the tournament has come when the 31-year-old was dropped to the bench in the final group stage clash when qualification to the knockout stages was all but confirmed.

While the Frenchman has posed a great threat to the opposition in the final third, he's provided as much quality in his nation's half. Griezmann is one of France's most prolific creators but he is also one of the side's best at recovering possession and, for that reason, Pogba likened his teammate to the all-action Chelsea star.

READ MORE: Chelsea have a secret weapon in their bid to beat Liverpool and Real Madrid to Jude Bellingham

The Juventus midfielder uploaded a number of images to his Instagram story in the night of France win against Morocco, writing 'it’s near' as Les Bleu eye a second successive World title.

In another post to his story, Pogba looked impressed as he tagged Griezmann and coined the name ‘Griezmannkante’ alongside a thinking-face emoji. Then, in the BBC studio, Drogba made the same comparison.

"Antoine Griezmann has surprised me but he has the intelligence and quality to do it," said the former Chelsea striker. "He looks more like Kante than Griezmann!"

Alan Shearer chipped in and agreed. The former Newcastle United striker said: "The defensive work that Antoine Griezmann had to, and did do, in the second half: The number of times he got in the way, the number of times he blocked it, clearing the ball in his own box.

"I thought he was man of the match, he was really good. You have got to give Didier Deschamps credit for changing Antoine Griezmann’s position slightly.

"He is really enjoying what he’s doing and he’s working as hard as anyone on the pitch. He is doing an incredible job, both going forward and defensively. He has been superb."

It's unlikely that Chelsea will heed the admissions of Pogba and Drogba and sign Griezmann to replace Kante. But, Graham Potter is in the market for a new midfielder so anything could happen...

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