N’Golo Kante one of the highest-paid star player for Chelsea finding its challenging to secure his place in the side this Premier League. With several ups and downs seen by the Blues in the recent past, the competition amongst the player to secure their place in the side is getting tougher.
The technique of survival of the performer makes it more challenging and players do their bits to secure their place in the side for the next appearance at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, The France international is finding his status in west London challenged by a new manager, system and increased competition for places.
The two-time Premier League champion and World Cup winner, N’Golo Kante would be not finding his place in the starting line-up amid the presence of symbiotic midfield partnership of Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho.
The 29-year-old, Kante has appeared for only 31 minutes during the new coach’s first four matches. Kovacic and Jorginho are starting back to back games and this has no doubt improved the defense considerably. The Blues are on a clean sheet streak and have conceded a minimal amount of goals since the German coach has taken over.
Chelsea looks like increasingly hungry for getting the ball back, with both Kovacic and Jorginho has become key in the center of the pitch. Recently the Blues defeated Barnsley 1-0 at their home ground, courtesy of Tammy Abraham’s all-round performance.
“The whole team is doing well defensively. We are doing great and I think we have improved a lot in the last three games,” Kovacic said as per Goal news.
“We need to keep moving forward like this because there is still a lot of the season to be played and I think we can do great things. We have started well under the new coach. He’s explained to us exactly what he wants from us. We have started well but I think we can do even better.”
Kovacic and Jorginho have been producing great displays and that has kept Kante out of the first XI. From time to time, Tuchel has trusted Kovacic and Jorginho pair over Kante.
Inter briefly explored the possibility of signing Kante over the summer, and Chelsea was not wholly opposed to opening talks given the player missed almost 50% of their matches in 2019-20 due to injury.
Initially, it proved a masterstroke, as Kante showed good form early in the season. But his recent injury woes have made it more difficult to get back into the team.
“He will start tomorrow and, for me, his best position is in a double six,” Tuchel said of the clash with Barnsley. “He can play as a single six, of course, but strength for him is to have a kind of freedom to use his range and volume.
“As a single six, as in a 4-1-4-1, he has to be more disciplined in his position. He can do this, but I think we would be cutting his wings a little bit.
“It’s clear what we want from him. We want short distances so we can use his strengths in counter-pressing and recoveries of the ball. He is an outstanding player, and we need a strong squad at a big club like Chelsea.”
On Kante’s previous injury issues, he added: “I am absolutely not concerned about any more injuries because I feel like there are support and quality about the medical and physical department here. It is at the highest level.
“It is not concerning and we can manage his minutes and workload and take care of him in all the physical aspects for his needs.”
As a matter of fact, Kante’s massive injury issues are to be blamed for his debacle in the side and also the magnificent performance by the duo, Kovacic and Jorginho in the midfield cannot be overlooked.
Now the situation has arisen that Kante has to match up with the fitness level Kovacic and Jorginho, if he cannot do that, then the future is uncertain for one of the Stamford Bridge faithful’s current favorites.
