With Chelsea set to take on League Two side Morecambe in the FA Cup on Sunday, it’s a great time for manager Frank Lampard to rest key players. However, he will be forced into at least one change, with the boss confirming that N’Golo Kante is out with a hamstring injury.
Frank Lampard Confirms N’Golo Kante Injury
Lampard Quotes Ahead of Morecambe Tie
Chelsea have most of their squad fit now, including key returns from injury for Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi, but Lampard confirmed that Kante will miss the next game.
“Kante has a minor hamstring injury so will miss this game and is suspended for Fulham next Friday so we’ll get him right,” the manager said.
Since the Frenchman is suspended for the following match in the Premier League as well, it’s a good opportunity for other players to step up in his absence. Lampard also gave injury updates on Reece James and Andreas Christensen, who both missed the loss against Manchester City.
“Reece James is out for the game,” Lampard said. “He will train with us tomorrow but the game will come too early. Andreas Christensen too.”
Billy Gilmour to Step Up for Chelsea?
With Kante out, Chelsea have a few options to play the holding midfield role. Of course, Jorginho brings his experience and passing range, while Mateo Kovacic is capable of playing as a defensive midfielder as well, though it is not his strongest position.
However, the most intriguing option is youngster Billy Gilmour. Dubbed “The Scottish Iniesta”, the teenager caught the eye last season and is looking to push on in 2021. Now that he has fully recovered from a long-term injury, he’ll look to get a continued run in the team.
Kante’s injury might just be the perfect opportunity for him to get 90 minutes back-to-back. This depends on Lampard’s team selection, but he will almost certainly start on Sunday. His performance could determine whether or not he gets the start against Fulham next week.
In any other circumstance, a Kante injury would be a tough loss. However, if Frank Lampard and Chelsea had to choose one game for him to miss, it would certainly be this one.
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