Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is confident that midfielder N’Golo Kante will be back to fitness for the club’s fixture against Wolves in two weeks’ time.
Kante, who has missed the Blues’ last two matches with an ankle injury, is expected to return for Chelsea against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side on September 14th.
“I’m hoping N’Golo will be back for Wolves. The medical team have said to me that with no setbacks he should be, and that will be a big boost,” said Lampard in a recent press conference.
The Frenchman’s return will come as extremely welcome news to Chelsea fans, who this weekend watched on as their side threw away a two-goal lead against Sheffield United, drawing 2-2 with the Premier League newcomers thanks to a last-minute own goal from Kurt Zouma.
Tammy Abraham had got the hosts off to a fantastic start by firing the west Londoners two goals to the good at Stamford Bridge – his second brace in as many weeks following the goals he scored at Norwich last Saturday – but some poor defending from the Blues allowed the visitors a route back into the game through Callum Robinson a minute after the break.
After a cagey second-half, disaster struck for Chelsea when the Blades equalised on the 89th minute after Zouma turned the ball into his own net, which ensured the game finished a point a piece.
Indeed, in his two appearances for Chelsea this term, Kante has been predictably impressive. The 28-year-old has averaged 2.5 tackles and 1.5 clearances per game thus far, which puts his importance to the team into context when you compare his stats to fellow central midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who has averaged 2 tackles and 0.3 clearances so far in twice as many appearances.
Getting Kante back to full fitness is huge for Frank Lampard and Chelsea. Going forward the Blues have plenty to smile about and if Tammy Abraham remains in form they should start to edge closer to the top-four.
However, without the glue in the middle, the west Londoners will continue to become unstuck.