Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has once again admitted his long standing desire to coach a player such as N'Golo Kante.

The Frenchman is rolling back the years with some of his performances in recent weeks, as Chelsea march towards a Champions League final.

The Blues take on Real Madrid in the second leg of their semi final, with the scores level at 1-1 after the first leg in Madrid.

Tuchel admits Kante is vital to the team's chances of progression to the final.

"He needs to accept that will cuddle him, I do this a lot," Tuchel told reporters.

"He is a nice guy, almost a shy person. He is quiet, he likes his own quality time and he is not loud.

"I see him smile a lot, I see him interact with everybody but on his own terms, very shy and polite but I am so happy that players like him exist. It is a pleasure to watch.

"What he is doing with his mentality, a real helper always gives everything to help anybody on the pitch as such a nice, humble and quiet guy. He is the guy you need to win trophies. That is why I am so, so happy that he is here.

"I have dreamed about this player, fighting for this player at any club I was coaching at and now he is my player. He has won many trophies except for the Champions League. I am sure he will be doing everything to get this trophy.

"For me, he is an example, an unbelievable input for any team in the world. He is key; he will be key tomorrow. "