Ahead of their big time crunch clash at home against Manchester United, Chelsea are dealing with several fitness concerns, with a cadre of key players being match doubts. Central midfielder N’Golo Kanté is the most key, and he’s the one who has received the most media coverage.
Kante has returned to training with the first team, so it appears he just might be ready to feature tomorrow. At least there have been some reports out there claiming that he’ll be back in action.
If he does play, it will provide the long awaited reunion of two former Leicester City midfielders. Chelsea brought Danny Drinkwater over from the Foxes towards the tail end of the summer transfer window. Drinkwater and Kante both played key roles in the amazing story that was Leicester’s 2015-16 Premier League title run, a championship that literally faced 5,000-1 odds.
However, the duo have yet to suit up together in Chelsea blue. Drinkwater suffered a calf problem early in the season, and he hasd only just recovered from it now. He still seeks his first Chelsea start in league play.
Kanté damaged his hamstring in France’s World Cup qualifying victory over Bulgaria last month, and he’s missed the last six Chelsea matches.
Kante has also been left out of the France squad for the upcoming international break.
According to The Guardian, “The club’s medical staff will check on Kanté before kick-off but the 26-year-old is expected to line up against United and has worked alongside Drinkwater in training.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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