N'Golo Kante is NOT better than me - Tiemoue Bakayoko
Posted Tuesday, November 14, 2017 by Express.co.uk
Tiemoue Bakayoko does not think N'Golo Kante is a better player
CHELSEA midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is convinced he is on par with his team-mate N'Golo Kante, despite not making the recent France squad.
Tiemoue Bakayoko was not named in the France squad for this month's friendlies with Wales and Germany, despite being a mainstay for Chelsea in recent weeks.
The former Monaco man has stepped up in N'Golo Kante's absence and even grabbed his first Premier League goal for the Blues in the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.
And the 23-year-old has made known his disappointment, insisting he is just as good as any of France's midfielders, including his team-mate Kante.
When asked about not being selected by Didier Deschamps, he told French broadcaster Canal+: "I'm disappointed.
"I believe in this World Cup, it's still my goal. I play for a big club and I think that can work in my favour.
"I feel [Adrien] Rabiot, Kante, [Blaise] Matuidi, [Corentin] Tolisso are not better than me.
"I respect the coach's decision and I also respect the players who were called up – they are talented, some are friends of mine.
"I'm proud that they were called up. I'd like to be with them.
"But I'm not below them."
Bakayoko has made 15 appearances for Chelsea this season, scoring two goals and providing three assists in all competitions.
He has just one cap for France, featuring in the 2-0 defeat to Spain during the international break in March.
Les Bleus take on Germany tomorrow night at Koln's RheinEnergie Stadion.
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