Graham Potter, the manager of Chelsea, stated on Tuesday that the return to training of injured players Edouard Mendy and N’Golo Kante has given the team a lift.
Owing to a knee ailment, Mendy has been sidelined for the past month. However, he could play against AC Milan on Wednesday in Champions League Group E. Kante, who has been out since August due to a thigh injury, is also getting closer to playing again.
Due to their demanding schedule—Chelsea is scheduled to play 12 games before the mid-season break for the World Cup next month—Potter said he was glad to have Mendy back and competing with Kepa Arrizabalaga for a spot in goal.
According to Potter, “Edou has been working out with the team the previous few days, so he will be in the squad, which is wonderful news for us since we need as much competition for spots.”
“Kante is working out more and more, not completely but getting there… It’s a matter of bringing him up to speed. He won’t be able to play 90 minutes every three days.
“It’s difficult to replace someone like him. Any team that loses him will suffer some.”
Chelsea are concerned about Kante’s future, as his contract expires at the end of the season, but Potter stated that his priority is to get the France international back on the pitch.
“When he’s on the field, he’s a great help to us. The other issue is between him and the club “Potter stated.
Chelsea’s £32 million signing Kalidou Koulibaly has yet to play under Potter since he took over last month, but the boss was impressed by the Senegal defender’s reaction to being benched.
“As a guy, he is honest, and he knows his situation in terms of having to wait to play, which every player complains about, but it’s how you respond, and his answer has been wonderful,” Potter added.
Chelsea sit bottom of the group with one point from two games, trailing leaders Milan on four points, Dinamo Zagreb on three, and Salzburg on two.
Olivier Giroud, the Italian champion Milan’s leading scorer this season with four league goals, will be up against the Londoners as they get ready to face their former player.
“He’s a major player. Last season in Serie A, he scored a lot of goals. He did the same thing to Chelsea “According to Koulibaly.
“He’s a deadly striker who must always be watched. The defenders will have a difficult game, but we will be prepared.”