Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has been ruled out of the club’s Premier League clash with West Brom on Saturday with a hamstring injury and is also thought to be missing the crucial first leg of next week’s Champions League quarter-final against Porto.
Kante withdrew from the French squad as a result of a hoarding complaint after the country’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine last month and then returned to Chelsea for treatment.
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Kante withdrew from French squad and returned to Chelsea early Aurelien Meunier / Getty Images
But the 30-year-old has so far only recovered enough to train individually and will not be in good time to face West Brom. He has not been ruled out of the Porto match yet, but Thomas Tuchel says it is “likely” that he will miss it.
Kante may also miss the next Premier League match against Crystal Palace on April 10 and Tuchel has earmarked the second match against Porto three days later as a more realistic return.
“With N’Golo, we have to be patient,” Tuchel said on Friday via ChelseaFC.com.
“Will he miss the Porto match? Yes probably. He trains individually and tomorrow’s match comes too early for him and so he can not be in the squad.
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“After tomorrow’s match [against West Brom], we only have three days to prepare [for Porto]. He has a muscle injury, which we communicated with the national team, so my realistic attitude is to think further about Porto, maybe the second game against Porto he can be available for. ”
Fortunately for Tuchel and Chelsea, Kante was the only player missing from full training on Friday, meaning Tammy Abraham, Thiago Silva, Jorginho and Callum Hudson-Odoi are all available.
“It’s the best situation as a manager. We can replace players or replace players who are injured without loss of quality, says Tuchel that he has many options available.
“It is very good and it gives us a good feeling. Tomorrow we have Thiago available and everyone else in the defense is in shape. It’s the same with the goalkeepers. It is very important to have this at this time of the season. We all need top form. ”
Tuchel has also confirmed that Timo Werner, who has only scored once since his countrymen took over in January, will start the West Brom match.
“Timo starts tomorrow. Yesterday I sent him in from training because he wanted to do extra finishing with us. But I sent him in because it will happen, the goals will come, “said Tuchel.
“Of course he has to do something and the best thing to do is work hard. Work hard against the ball, make runs, do not hesitate, be fearless, do not think about it. ”
Timo Werner starts for Chelsea this weekend | Visionhaus / Getty Images
Chelsea are still unbeaten under Tuchel, who has been named Premier League manager for the month of the month, and victory over Baggies on Saturday will strengthen the club’s chances of reaching the top four and secure Champions League football for next season.
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