He hadn’t played since mid-August. Seven long months for N’Golo Kanté, victim of a hamstring injury which notably forced him to give up the World Cup in Qatar following a relapse. This Friday, the midfielder took part in a friendly match behind closed doors against Charlton Athletic (3-0). The English club was delighted to have seen the 31-year-old Frenchman evolve for an hour on the lawn.
His return had almost happened a few days ago against Everton, in the league. Before this match, the coach of the Blues Graham Potter had slipped: “There is a chance that he is in the team. It would be the first time, so it’s fantastic”. The technician, who arrived in September to replace Thomas Tuchel, has not yet had the opportunity to lead Kanté.
“The coaches who preceded me said a lot of good things about N’Golo, because he is a very great player”, Potter underlined before assuring that Kanté had “missed enormously” at Chelsea, who only occupy 10th in the Premier League and was knocked out early in both domestic cups by Manchester City.
“It doesn’t mean that the other players didn’t give their all, because they did, but N’Golo Kanté is N’Golo Kanté. A top player,” Potter continued. “It’s a good thing for us that he’s back. We have to be aware that he’s had a long injury and we have to do everything we can to get him back to the Premier League well and that’s what we’re going to do. »
Kanté’s presence will be invaluable ahead of the Champions League quarter-finals in April against Real Madrid in a 2022 remake.
Next meeting for Chelsea: April 1 against Aston Villa.