Chelsea have announced that N'Golo Kante has undergone surgery on his hamstring after specialist guidance.
The Frenchman hasn't played since August 14th after leaving the pitch with a hamstring injury against Tottenham and will now miss the winter World Cup too.
Kante is yet to play under new manager Graham Potter and will be out of action for an expected four months following surgery. The statement from Chelsea reads: N'Golo Kante has undergone an operation on his hamstring injury.
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"The midfielder visited a specialist with the club's medical department to explore the options for his rehabilitation approach, and it was mutually agreed for N'Golo to have surgery to repair the damage.
"Following a successful operation, N'Golo is now expected to be sidelined for four months."
Potter admitted earlier this week that Kante's fitness was a big concern after missing 57 games since the Europa League final in 2019. "Historically, there are things which have happened which are a concern, and we need to get the bottom of that," Potter said.
"It's a setback in the last stage of his rehab, so again that's worrying. But all we can do is get the right diagnosis, the right consultation and then try and help him get back to full fitness and enjoying his football."
This is the longest setback he has had since playing through a damaging knee injury in 2019. There have been 12 occasions in which he has had a spell on the sidelines. Kante's fitness record is a big part of why new co-owner Todd Boehly is cautious when it comes to offering the Champions League and World Cup winner a new contract.
Kante's current deal expires in June 2023, and he can negotiate a free transfer away from the club as early as January. He will now be out of action until after that point and could return with just three months left on his contract. Interest in him is likely to be high given the world-class standards of performance, but as Boehly looks to start a new era at Chelsea, there remains a big call to make with Kante, and the length of his latest setback could impact that decision.
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