N’Golo Kante Injury: Thomas Tuchel Rules Out Kante For Champions League Tie

The Frenchman will fail to make the cut for the club’s contest against Porto

Picking up an injury during France’s encounter with Ukraine, N’Golo Kante ended up returning to Chelsea instantly to undergo his recovery.

However, despite getting a week at Chelsea, Kante has failed to recover in time for the side’s impending clash against West Brom. Not only will the Frenchman be ruled out for the side’s Saturday contest but is also out of action for the team’s Champions League outing.

Kante To Skip CL Quarter-Final

Kante had picked up a hamstring issue while on duty with France. Despite featuring for all the 90 minutes during that 1-1 draw, Kante’s injury was deemed severe enough to keep him sidelined for a solid amount of time.

“Yes, probably. He is doing individual training and tomorrow the game and he can’t be with the squad,” Tuchel said when asked if Kante would be out of action against Porto.

“Then we have just three days to prepare. We have a muscle injury, as we communicated with the national team. So my realistic approach is to think about Porto, maybe the second game against Porto.”

Tuchel meanwhile was chuffed on the aspect of having a totally fit backline for the encounter.

“It’s the best situation you can have as a manager. We can substitute players or replace players that are injured without a loss of quality. That is very good, gives us a good feeling. Tomorrow will see Thiago available and everyone else is fit. It’s the same with the goalkeepers.

“It’s very important to have this at this time of the season. We need everybody in top shape,” the Chelsea supremo said.

Chelsea will next be taking on Porto in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The club progressed to this stage of the premier tournament after downing Atletico Madrid 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Porto elsewhere stunned Juventus to ease their way into the ensuing round of the competition. Chelsea are widely touted to defeat Porto in this two round affair.

Also Read: Tuchel Wins March Award