Thomas Tuchel handed serious Chelsea blow as N'Golo Kante ruled out for weeks with hamstring injury

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Chelsea have been dealt an injury blow, with N’Golo Kante set to be out for weeks.

The 31-year-old was withdrawn in the second half against Tottenham Hotspur after pulling up with a hamstring injury while running with the ball.

There has been no official confirmation of the length of time that Kante will miss, with the player thought to have undergone a scan on his hamstring earlier this week.

With Mateo Kovacic also sidelined due to a knee injury, Chelsea have somewhat of a midfield shortage.

N'Golo Kante on the ground holding his hamstring during Chelsea vs Tottenham. (Twitter / Mohxmmad)

Jorginho and Conor Gallagher are available, as is Ruben Loftus-Cheek, although he has been preferred at wing-back in recent times.

Billy Gilmour, Trevoh Chalobah and Ethan Ampadu can also play as number sixes in Tuchel’s system, however Gilmour and Ampadu are yet to make a matchday squad this season.

Kante’s injury will no doubt be an annoyance to the German, who is struggling for numbers in midfield due to Kovacic’s injury.

Chelsea head coach Tuchel has now confirmed the extent of the injury, revealing that his side have been handed a significant blow as Kante will miss weeks of the season.

Speaking to the press ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Leeds, Tuchel revealed: “Quite serious (N’Golo Kante injury). 

“We’re talking about weeks. Not good news.

"We are disappointed and sad because N’Golo is super important and super fit. He will be out for weeks.” 

Chelsea have been linked with making a transfer swoop for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer, and the injury to Kante could perhaps make Tuchel consider a bid.

However, Barcelona boss Xavi has played down the move, saying: "He’s important for me, he's in the squad and that's it. Until August 31, we'll see because the market is still open and we don't know what's going to happen. 

Dest and de Jong during Barcelona's Europa League clash with Galatasaray. (Alamy)

"The same thing happens with De Jong as with Auba, the market is still open.

"We don't know what's going to happen."

With Manchester United set to sign Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, Chelsea could be handed a clear run at De Jong if they are to make a move.

Tuchel will be hoping that Kante is back as soon as possible as he looks to compete for the Premier League title this season, with the midfielder a key component to the way that Chelsea play.