N'Golo Kante's absence has been a massive blow for Chelsea and Graham Potter this season. The midfielder has been sidelined since the 2-2 draw with Tottenham on August 14 after limping off with a hamstring problem.
Following the London derby, former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel delivered a worrying update on Kante's injury. "It seems another muscle injury, the hamstring," Tuchel said. "He said he feels it is pretty strong, so no good news."
Now, under Potter, Kante is yet to make his debut for the Englishman. The 31-year-old's absence has played a key role in the Blues' difficult season, with Todd Boehly forced to splash £106million in the January transfer window to sign Enzo Fernandez.
Read more: N'Golo Kante's likely return game for Chelsea revealed with Graham Potter to get dream scenario
Six months have passed since we saw Kante in action and with that in mind, football.london provides you with the latest on the France international's recovery.
Back in training
Ahead of Chelsea's London derby against Spurs on Sunday, Kante has been pictured taking part in training with the rest of his teammates.
It's hard to tell whether his inclusion in training means he could feature against Antonio Conte's side, but it's a much-welcomed boost to Potter.
Likely return game revealed
Kante has been partaking in some individual work at Cobham since the end of last week, a source has told football.london. He is not yet in full training with his teammates, however, but that is understood to not be too far away from doing so.
football.london understands Chelsea have some hope of Kante returning to team training by the end of the week, or the start of the following week. However, rather understandably, the Blues are very mindful of not rushing the Frenchman – who has been missing for almost six months – back into competitive action.
If everything goes to plan in that regard, then Chelsea could target their trip to Tottenham on February 26 as the game for Kante to return to the squad. That would be ideal for the Blues, who then face a tricky March, with the Champions League Round of 16, second-leg against Borussia Dortmund at Stamford Bridge taking place on March 7.
If Kante does not make the trip to Spurs, then the Premier League showdown with Leeds United on March 4 may be one that is looked at.
Another blow in recovery
Upon the return of domestic football in December, Potter confirmed that Kante could face being out until March.
"He's a while. He'll be end of February, or the start of March."
Kante sent retirement message
Kante has been told to consider retiring from football if he can't recover from his run of consistent injuries. The Frenchman has been out of action since August before then sustained another injury and had to have surgery on his hamstring, keeping him out for at least four months.
Speaking to Safe Betting Sites, former Blues man Frank Leboeuf said, “I haven’t spoken to Kante directly about his fitness and how he feels but it could be that he’s nearing the end of it [his career]. Because the thing is we have to understand that we are talking about a human being. Suddenly your body says okay, enough, leave me alone. The end of your career is also a part of your career, and you have to choose the right time to give up. Even if you don't want to and even if your football is great and you want to carry on.
“You have to give envy to people and not pity. So you have to make a decision in your own mind [regarding retirement]. You have to talk to your family and say maybe okay, it's over. So I don't know his shape but if he feels that he can serve Chelsea well then he should stay.”
Potter provides winter update
Speaking from the Middle East, Potter provided another update on Kante's recovery. He said: "N'Golo is a little bit further away but again he's progressing well."
Abu Dhabi boost
After missing the World Cup, Kante travelled with the Chelsea squad to Abu Dhabi as part of a warm weather training camp. The French midfielder is set to continue his recovery with the rest of the group throughout the World Cup break.
Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana will join Kante in continuing their recovery with the squad in the Middle East. Summer signing Cesare Casadei, who has impressed for the Blues under-21s since completing a £12million switch from Inter, has also been included in the squad.
Statement confirms surgery
Chelsea released a statement in October confirming that Kante had undergone surgery on his hamstring after specialist guidance.
It read: N'Golo Kante has undergone an operation on his hamstring injury.
"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."
World Cup blow
Kante was ruled out of the Qatar World Cup after The Athletic confirmed the midfielder would miss three months of action from October.
It's said the Frenchman suffered another setback to his recovery after returning to first team training. "He's due to see a consultant at the weekend. It’s a setback, it’s not good news, but I can’t give you anything more at this stage," Potter said.
"Historically there are things which have happened which is a concern, so we need to get to the bottom of that.
"It’s a setback at this stage of this rehab which is worrying, but all we can do is get the right diagnosis, get the right consultation, and try and help him get back to full fitness and enjoying his football."
Transfer instruction
Chelsea have been instructed to cash in on N'Golo Kante, with the midfielder set to leave the club at the end of the season.
Speaking to BoyleSports, Glen Johnson urged Chelsea to take advantage of the several clubs said to be interested in Kante's services. The former Blues defender said: "Chelsea should possibly cash in on N'Golo Kante.
"He's been linked with many clubs that might want him. They're struggling to agree on a deal with him too. If Kante wants to stay and play, then I'm sure Chelsea will want him to. But there's always a business decision when a player might want too much, or the club is giving them too little – then they should shake hands and part ways."
Training session boost
According to the Evening Standard's Nizaar Kinsella, who was speaking on fan podcast 'London is Blue', Kante had returned to training to potentially hand Graham Potter a major boost.
"N'Golo Kante was out on the training pitch when I went down [to Cobham] for the Academy game. He was training with the coach and doing some pretty dynamic drills."
Chelsea also posted a video on social media of the midfielder taking part in training after being left out of the France squad for their September fixtures against Austria and Denmark.
Contract dilemma
Kante's contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of the season and there is yet to be any news regarding his future.
According to The Athletic in September, Kante turned down a new deal offered to him - two years with the option of a third - by Todd Boehly.
Tuchel produces initial diagnoses
In one of his final games in charge, Tuchel was once again quizzed on Kante's injury situation before the 2-1 win over Leicester City.
"We are talking about four weeks plus. I told you at the end of last season he is our key player normally. He gives something to our team that no other player in the world can give to any other team. That makes him a key player. If your key player is out, it’s a situation you don’t like but have to deal with. It has huge influence.”
Injury picked-up
Kante was forced off in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Tottenham in August having fallen to the ground clutching his hamstring.
After the game, Tuchel provided an update on the midfielder. He said: "Quite serious, we're talking about weeks which is not good news. We're disappointed and sad because N'Golo was super important and super fit and he will be out for several weeks."
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