“N’Golo Kante is still out” so Graham Potter reveals four Chelsea players won’t play against Crystal Palace
N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy remain sidelined for Chelsea, according to Graham Potter, and two other players are anticipated to miss this weekend’s game at Crystal Palace due to illness.
Only two of Chelsea’s eight games this season have featured World Cup champion and key midfielder Kante.
The 31-year-old resumed working out over the international break, but he won’t play on Saturday at Selhurst Park as he continues to get back to full health.
The Blues’ starting goalkeeper Mendy is also out after missing Chelsea’s previous two contests due to injury.
Marc Cucurella and Carney Chukwuemeka, two summer acquisitions by Chelsea, are both expected to miss the team’s first Premier League contest in nearly a month due to illness.
The new Chelsea manager, Potter, responded when asked for an update on his team on Friday: “N’Golo is doing good in terms of getting through the rehab stages.” Although he is not in full training, he has been on the field with the team.
Carney Chukwuemeka and Marc Cucurella both suffer a little sickness. Other than that, everyone is healthy.
Thomas Tuchel was the head coach at Stamford Bridge the last time Chelsea competed in a Premier League game, against West Ham on September 3.
But a few days later, Tuchel was fired, and Chelsea swiftly hired Potter, the former Brighton manager, as their new manager.
When questioned about the adjustments made at Chelsea, Potter added: “Change is both good and terrible. It’s difficult. It all depends on how you handle and adapt to it.
“What transpired in terms of ownership, the coach, and other individuals is well documented.” Life is what you make of it.
“How you align the resources you have, football notion, is more than just a short-term task.”
“In this league, the past, resources, and history don’t guarantee anything.” Numerous clubs invest a lot of money but fail to accomplish their goals.
“The plan must be clear.” It’s a little dramatic, but life or death is what it is. People’s perceptions are beyond my control. I concentrate on the upcoming game, the practice, and ways to help the squad.
Prior to their matchup against 16th-place Crystal Palace on Saturday, Chelsea and Crystal Palace are both in the top seven of the Premier League.
As for comparing himself to his predecessor Tuchel, who led Chelsea to Champions League victory in 2021, Potter argues that he is “not in the business of doing so.”
Everyone has a somewhat different perspective on football, he added. Don’t let that bother you too much.
It is more of a decision that each of us must make and implement. Thomas and his teams command my highest regard. I don’t want to judge myself against other people, including him.
In Potter’s debut game in charge, Chelsea and Red Bull Salzburg tied 1-1. After visiting Crystal Palace, Chelsea will play AC Milan in the Champions League.