ENGLAND legend Gary Lineker says N’Golo Kante has been the World Cup’s best player and believes the France star will be the difference in today’s final against Croatia.

The Chelsea midfielder, 27, is expected to start for the star-studded Les Bleus alongside Paul Pogba in midfield in Moscow.

4 France midfielder N'Golo Kante has been the star performer at the World Cup Credit: PA:Empics Sport

4 Match of the Day host Gary Lineker believes the ace will prove the difference for Les Bleus against Croatia Credit: WARNING: Use of this image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture

And ex-Barcelona and Tottenham striker and current Match of the Day presenter Lineker thinks he has been the top performer at the tournament.

Lineker believes Kante will eclipse Luka Modric as the hero in the mammoth showdown.

He told L’Equipe: “For me, until now, N’Golo has been the best player at the World Cup.

“He’s not really the type of guy we speak about or try to push forward as a star.

4 Kante is expected to face Croatia in the World Cup Final today Credit: EPA

4 Lineker has tipped the midfielder to outshine Croatia's Luka Modric in the showdown Credit: Getty

“With Kante, France play with 12 men. He counts as two midfielders on his own. He’s everywhere.

“His quality of pass is excellent and he can break the lines. He’s able to push the ball forwards. Honestly, it’s a huge advantage to have Kante in the team. He’s one of the keys to France and is one of the reasons they’re a big favourite for the final.”

Before his move to Chelsea in 2016 Kante played for Leicester, Lineker’s boyhood club, and helped them to their historic Premier League title triumph.

And Lineker admitted he has a massive soft spot for the Blues ace.

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He explained: “I’m a big fan. In his position, he’s the best player I’ve ever seen.

“He has an incredibly reading of the game. He intercepts balls that are impossible. He runs everywhere. He’s a real thief. The way he takes the ball from the feet of his opponents, without them appearing to notice, is incredible. And then he uses the ball quickly and well.

“He’s not only essential for the balance of the team, but he helps his team-mates. Would Pogba be the same without N’Golo beside him? Would the central defenders, Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane would not have the same assurance if N’Golo was not in front of them?”

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And Lineker is adamant that France would have tasted glory on home turf at Euro 2016 instead of suffering heartache in the final against Portugal if they had included Kante in their side.

He added: “I always ask myself why Didier Deschamps denied himself Kante in the final of Euro 2016.

“I think that what he did that day was his biggest error as a manager, which all the respect I have for that great coach. With Kante, France would not have lost that final.”