N’Golo Kante has once again proved himself to be one of the most principled individuals in the game of football after his small part in the Football Leaks expose has shown him in a good light.
The tales of just how humble the Frenchman is have been rattling around and multiplying since his arrival on these shores; from his intention to run to training everyday at Leicester, to his refusal to upgrade his nifty Mini Cooper, to his going home with a fan to eat a meal and play computer games with his family, and now there’s more.
As part of its series of articles of revelations contained in the leaks, the French outlet Mediapart has unearthed another example of his unerring honesty.
They claim that the World Cup winner turned down payments related to image rights from Chelsea because of “fears of investigations” over the offshore scheme that would be involved.
It’s claimed that the London club pay image rights-related fees they own players into companies established in the tax haven of Jersey, so that losing part of these fees can be avoided by both player and club.
According to Mediapart, the amount of money that could have been saved - by club and player combined - through a specific scheme that had been drawn up would have been €1m-a-year.
Having initially gone along with the plan, it's been reported, the player had a change of heart.
A leaked email from Kante’ tax advisor is claimed to have read: “After reading numerous press articles about image rights and tax investigations launched against players and clubs, N’Golo is more and more concerned by this scheme that is being proposed to him and that it could be called into question by the tax authorities… N’Golo decided… that he did not want to take any risks.”
“N'Golo is unflinching. He just wants a normal salary.”
Having seen all the trouble that the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar have gotten themselves embroiled in of late, with hefty fines and suspended prison sentences involved, he may well have been a wise man.
A tale restraint, then, and a customary uplifting Kante number that somewhat reaffirms one’s faith in the footballing fraternity.
