Maurizio Sarri has provided a huge update on N’Golo Kante’s availability for the Europa League final.
Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri has claimed that the midfielder’s N’Golo Kante availability is ’50-50′ ahead for the Europa League final. The French International picked up a knee injury during Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Watford at Stamford Bridge in early May.
He did not feature in the last two games against Leicester City and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Premier League and Europa League respectively. Kante was spotted in training, but he was doing light jogging with the fitness coach, away from his teammates.
The Blues are already without Ruben Loftus Cheek, whose season ended with Achilles injury, which leaves space for Ross Barkley and Metro Kovacic to fill the void on Wednesday at Baku.
Speaking in the pre-match press conference, he said “He has a very little problem with his knee. The problem is the timing. We have only four days. We are trying.”
“At the moment we don’t know [if he will be fit]. We will try until the last moment. I think [his chances are] 50-50 at the moment. Yesterday 60-40 no, today 50-50. He was a little bit better this morning, but 50-50.” added Sarri.
With the European final in a day, there are slim chances of featuring in the starting lineup although he might find a place in the squad. The French International has operated in a much-advanced position under Sarri, but he has not let his team down by producing above par performances.
He has played 52 games in all competitions this season, scoring five times and assisting four times. He would want to play at any cost, but Chelsea will keep in mind about the knee injury which might come back to haunt at times.
Sarri has been without Antonio Rudiger and Callum Hudson Odoi for more than a month. This has helped Andreas Christensen and Willian to step up their gear.
Here’s how Twitter reacted..
BREAKING: Maurizio Sarri says Ngolo Kante’s knee injury is not serious but he is rated ’50-50′ to be fit for the Europa League final.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 28, 2019
Ngolo Kante is training with the physical coach. Not with the squad: doing some running. #cfc
— Kristof Terreur 📰🎥 (@HLNinEngeland) May 28, 2019
Ngolo Kante talking with the head of Chelsea’s medical staff. He won’t be involved in training with the ball today.
— Kristof Terreur 📰🎥 (@HLNinEngeland) May 28, 2019
Sarri is up first and reports that @nglkante is 50/50 to play in tomorrow’s final.
‘He had a little problem in his knee. It’s not a serious injury but the problem is the timing because we have only four days to recover. We are trying.’ 💪#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/Axlmg6yovM
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 28, 2019
Don’t forget, you can watch the full training session on our website and app! #UELfinal pic.twitter.com/G85lrLjsAk
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 28, 2019
What’s next?
Chelsea will take on Arsenal in the Europa League final at Baku on Wednesday night. The inclusion of N’Golo Kante remains a doubt as the Blues faithful wait for positive news.
