Fresh update emerges over Chelsea star N’Golo Kante’s ‘bad’ injury setback with World Cup looming

Chelsea have been handed a fresh concern over midfield star N’Golo Kante.

Kante has now missed two months with a muscular injury, and he has recently suffered a breakdown in his bid to return. It emerged earlier this week that the Frenchman had suffered a setback, and Blues boss Graham Potter has since issued an update.

“He [Kante] is due to see a consultant at the weekend. It’s a setback and it’s not good news. But at this stage, I can’t give you anything more,” said Potter. Since then, the Daily Mail have reported that Kante’s injury is not as bad as first feared, and that he would miss around three weeks more.

But reliable French journalist Julien Laurens has now tweeted a concerning update. He said: “N’Golo Kanté’s injury setback is bad and he will miss the World Cup,” along with a crying emoji. That would represent a huge blow for Chelsea, and indeed Kante.

At the age of 31, this could well be Kante’s last chance to play in World Cup, having won the competition four years ago. Beyond that, he is out of contract at the end of this season, and these injury setbacks are not going to help him in his negotiations. It’s reported Kante wants to stay at Stamford Bridge beyond this season, but Chelsea may be hesistant given his recent injury record.

As for the Blues, this is clearly a big blow for them and Potter, who will be desperate to get Kante back as soon as possible. The Frenchman has had a huge impact when fit, and Chelsea’s midfield looks much more slender without him.

As Potter says, we will have to wait for confirmation on the extent of Kante’s setback, but Chelsea fans will be desperate the Laurens report does not prove accurate.