'He is our Mo Salah, he is our Kylian Mbappe' - Thomas Tuchel praises N'Golo Kante but wants improved fitness

Thomas Tuchel has said Chelsea need to find a way of getting N’Golo Kante fit, as he said the midfielder is as important to the Blues as Mo Salah is to Liverpool and Kylian Mbappe to Paris Saint-Germain. Kante has been a huge performer for Chelsea for years, but his 2021/22 campaign has been badly hit by injuries. Ad/> At 31, Kante's best days may be behind him but he is still a sensational performer when fit.

Premier LeagueAlonso goal earns Chelsea draw with Leicester to all-but secure third place20 HOURS AGO Fitness would appear to be a concern for Tuchel, who feels it is imperative Kante — who started the 1-1 draw with Leicester on Thursday — can find a way of staying fit. “I think he is our key, key player but key, key players have to be on the pitch and he only plays 40% of games,” Tuchel said. “He is our Mo Salah, (Virgil) van Dijk.

He is our Kylian Mbappe.” Kante played a huge part in Chelsea’s run to the Champions League title last season, and Tuchel wants his medical staff to find a way of getting him back to that level. “Last year, I think in the last five matches of the Champions League they handed him the trophy,” Tuchel said. “I think they handed it to him even before the match.

«This is huge for us to solve it. I don't play him but it's a fact we miss him a lot and he brings something unique in world football. He can lift everybody up and make the difference.” ‘Not the first time’ — Chelsea boss Tuchel on Christensen’s decision to miss FA Cup final Pogba rejected City move over fears life would be made 'unbearable' by United fans — Report Kante’s future has been a topic of debate, as he has been linked with a move to Manchester United.