N'Golo Kante with Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel.
Speaking to Chelsea FC official website, Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic will not be available in their Champions League opener against Zenit St Petersburg. Kante suffered a knock in the game against Liverpool, while Pulisic returned to the team on crutches after the international break.
The manager revealed that Kante did train with the team, but the Champions League clash was too early for him to make a return to the pitch. Pulisic did was not involved with the team and will be training individually. However, Ross Barkley, Malang Sarr and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have made the team squad.
“Christian did not train with us today. We are looking for him to return after the international break. He’s still in a state of recovery and individual training so he is not ready yet.
“N’Golo had two training sessions yesterday and trained again today, but the Champions League game comes a bit too early for him. We won’t take risk with him now at this moment of the season.”
Although the likes of Barkley, Loftus-Cheek and Malang Saar added to the Champions League squad, it is unlikely that the Chelsea manager will make use of these players in the absence of Kante & Pulisic. Indeed, Tuchel has the option of Mateo Kovacic and Saul Niguez who are seen as a direct replacements in the midfield role, while the attacking unit is loaded with quality.
The Blues were in action this weekend in the Premier League. They hosted Aston Villa at home and confirmed all three points from the game in a 3-0 victory. This result adds to their good start in the League as they remain unbeaten after the win. However, similar results will be expected from Tuchel and his team against Zenit in their Champions League opener.
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