It has been confirmed by manager Thomas Tuchel that Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has tested positive for COVID-19. This will rule the midfielder out of Chelsea’s upcoming games with Juventus and Southampton.
This is another setback for Kante who has just started to get back on the pitch after a groin injury. Kante’s positive test will see him absent for his club until after the international break when they travel to Brentford in the Premier League on October 16, 2021.
Chelsea Midfielder N’Golo Kante to Miss at Least Two Games Following Positive COVID-19 Test.
Kante Absence Adds to Thomas Tuchel’s Selection Headaches With Several Players Out
Tuchel has some headaches ahead of him with Kante, Reece James, Christian Pulisic, and Mason Mount all ruled out of Chelsea’s Champions League Group stage match with Juventus.
Chelsea got their defence of the Champions League off to a fine start against Zenit but missing four key players ahead of a match with Juventus is not an ideal situation, even if Juventus are reeling following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. It is a good thing for Chelsea that they have such depth in the midfield and attacking areas of the pitch with players Saul Niguez, Kai Havertz and Ruben Loftus-Cheek able to step in for the current crop of absent players.
Looking beyond the Juventus game, Chelsea fans will be hoping that N’Golo Kante can rebound from the illness without issue. It’s already been a rocky season for the French midfielder with his injury preventing him from reaching top form but hopefully, an illness that can leave a lasting impact on people, including footballers – like Dean Henderson – won’t hinder Kante’s season too much. For a player like Kante who is known for his engine and tenacity to make tackles all over the pitch any lasting effects on his stamina could be harmful to his playing abilities.
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