Chelsea have been dealt a major blow ahead of the weekend’s monumental clash against Tottenham Hotspur, with N’Golo Kante set to be absent for that game and a few others too.
The dynamic Frenchman was forced off after just 12 minutes in Monday’s disappointing 2-0 defeat against Manchester United.
Following the game, Frank Lampard explained that Kante’s injury “doesn’t look good” and now L’Equipe claim that results from Kante’s medical examination aren’t positive.
In Wednesday’s paper, it’s claimed that Kante has suffered a small tear to his adductor muscle and as such, will miss at least three weeks of action.
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A player of Kante’s quality will always be missed but now I think it’s up Lampard to change the system to try to tactically thwart Spurs.
Lampard could insert either Mason Mount or Ross Barkley into his preferred 4-3-3 system alongside Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic.
However, I think Chelsea should revert to the 3-4-2-1 formation which Lampard has used on four occasions (W3 L1) in the Premier League this season.
It could see Cesar Azpilicueta drop into a back three, with Reece James and one of Marcos Alonso or Emerson providing width.
Kante and Jorginho could sit in the centre behind three narrow attackers in what I believe would probably be the best way to fill the hole Kante’s absence will create.
There’s also a hint of unpredictability about that formation and it could help Lampard scores another huge win over a Jose Mourinho-managed side.
