Thomas Tuchel has provided a concerning injury update on N'Golo Kante after the midfielder was forced off with a hamstring injury against Tottenham Hotspur.
The 31-year-old was forced off with five minutes to play as Harry Kane equalised deep into stoppage time to claim a 2-2 draw for Antonio Conte’s side at Stamford Bridge.
Kante went down and received treatment on his hamstring, handing Chelsea and Tuchel fear over his condition and the bad news was confirmed post-match when the Chelsea head coach offered an update on his injury.
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“It seems another muscle injury, the hamstring,” responded Tuchel, when asked about the France international.
“He said he feels it pretty strong.
"So no good news.”
Kante adds to Tuchel’s midfield injury problems with Mateo Kovacic currently sidelined with a knee injury.
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“Has issues with his knee, always a little bit of a reaction,” said Tuchel on Friday.
“We decided to take a step back and increase treatment time to reduce the stress that comes from training to have a normal reaction before we start again.”
Chelsea were denied of making it two wins from two to open their 2022/23 Premier League season in an afternoon that frustrated Tuchel following his side’s ‘top, top, top performance’ against Antonio Conte’s Lilywhites.
Tuchel told reporters: “Yes, but it happens (dropping two points you think you deserved). It happens during the life of a football coach and a team.
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"In football, and as players, you sometimes get caught in the last minute and we will hopefully have it in the season that we will steal some points and be decisive. This can happen.
“But it can’t happen when we have VAR at this kind of level. It can’t happen that goals are allowed that are simply irregular goals. This is the frustration and it’s unacceptable.
"I think we know what we did, the players know the input they put into the game mentally and physically. We were so sharp, fully on, and played a brilliant match.
"What a step up for us from the first game against Everton.
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"I’m disappointed for the players that they don’t get the reward. It’s actually down to incredible decisions.”
Chelsea now have a week to prepare for their next game which comes against Leeds United at Elland Road next Sunday. Tuchel will be hoping Kante’s injury isn’t serious, but it is unlikely that the Blues boss will risk the Frenchman regardless as he looks to avoid any further midfield injury setbacks.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter / MohxmmadTopics: NGolo Kante, Chelsea, Premier League, Thomas Tuchel, Football
