Frank Lampard has revealed when he’s hoping N’Golo Kante will join up with the Chelsea squad for pre-season preparations as the Blues prepare to fly out to Japan.
The 28-year-old had an interesting season under Maurizio Sarri playing further upfield than his favoured holding midfield position to accommodate Jorginho but suffered an injury in the back-end of the campaign.
Speaking to the official club website, Lampard has confirmed that he hopes Kante can be ready to go for when training starts in Japan next week:
He’s been training on his own with the physios this week because he’s still feeling the effects of his injury from the end of last season and we just want to be careful with him. It’s not a big problem. We know he’s a fit boy and he has a great attitude so the last thing we want to do is push him too early. Hopefully next week in Japan we’ll start to integrate him into the group.
Chelsea face Kawasaki Frontale at the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama on Friday before playing against Barcelona the following Tuesday at the Saitama Stadium.
Kante continued to impress despite playing an unfamiliar role last term and he’s bound to be a crucial fixture in Lampard’s plans during the upcoming campaign.
