Kante, UEFA Champions League Player of the Year, returns

The Frenchman is back in time to face Real Madrid, although his inclusion in the starting line-up looks more complicated than ever

Eight months after infection, Ngolo Kante He is ready to get back on the field. The French midfielder, who suffered a hamstring injury in August, will have minutes on Saturday against Astonville upon his return to competition.

The 32-year-old Parisian does not play with him Chelsea Since August 14, 2022 when he played 85 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur. He suffered a hamstring injury that has become more complicated and has prevented him from returning to training normally and enjoying his final year of contract with Stamford Bridge.

Until two weeks ago, he went into his first call in about eight months. Kanty He was on the bench for the duel against him everton And he hasn’t played for a minute, but now, this weekend, when he’s in shorts again.

“We have to control his minutes and give him a rhythm Premier LeagueHe said on Friday Graham Potter at a press conference. He’s available, he’ll be on the list and I’m sure he’ll play tomorrow at some point,” added the English coach, who is recovering a world champion and a player in the latter part of the season. best player affiliate Champions League.

It was exactly two years ago when Kanty presented a “key lecture” against it real madridcontaining the Whites and being named player of the return match, an honor he repeated in the final against United Manchester city.

Now, the Frenchman is back in time for a draw against Chamartín in the quarter-finals, although his entry into the starting line-up looks more complicated than ever. binomial Mateo Kovacic Enzo Fernandez Difficult to break and spin Ruben Loftus-Cheek In the future. Much of the Terrero would have to be recaptured by the French in order for them to gain a foothold in the scheme Potter And to be alive again in Champions.

For now, he’s back this weekend after eight months vs Aston Villa.