Tuchel has given Potter advice on saving Chelsea job as Kante return nears
Graham Potter is eagerly anticipating the return of a particular player more than ever before, which could be the greatest boost of his managerial career.
The player in question is N’Golo Kante, who Chelsea is gradually getting closer to welcoming back into their team. Despite leading for six months, Potter hasn’t had the privilege of choosing Kante in his squad even once.
The importance of Kante cannot be overstated, as his impact on the team is significant.
During Thomas Tuchel’s 67 matches in charge, Chelsea averaged 2.2 points per game with Kante’s participation. However, in the 32 games that he didn’t play, the team’s average dropped significantly to just 1.7 points per game.
This is a notable drop, especially when considering the exceptional performance levels of his teams when he’s on the field.
Potter’s Chelsea team has been dealing with numerous injuries, and unfortunately, some of the most important players have been affected. Reece James and Ben Chilwell are both crucial players, and Mateo Kovacic has not received enough recognition for his contributions during his time in London. However, the absence of Kante has been the most painful of all.
Fortunately, Kante’s return to training has had a positive impact on team morale and overall positivity at Cobham. With new players coming in and the need for team cohesion, Kante’s presence could be instrumental in bringing the team together.
“We’ve had a good week’s training, everyone is available pretty much apart from N’Golo [Kante] and Christian Pulisic,” Potter said before the game against Tottenham.
“They are making progress, joining the warm-ups, and they will be more integrated next week. So that is good.”
Even though Kante won’t be available for Sunday’s game, the anticipation of welcoming back a player of his caliber has brought some optimism, despite the current negative atmosphere. Having Kante on the team will provide Potter with the opportunity to coach a player with exceptional talent, which is a cause for excitement.
Kante is not an ordinary player, as Thomas Tuchel himself had expressed his high regard for the Frenchman, comparing him to some of the world’s top superstars. Therefore, Kante’s return to the pitch is highly anticipated and could have a significant impact on the team’s performance.
“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 in 2022. “He is our Mo Salah, (Virgil) van Dijk. He is our Kylian Mbappe.”
Indeed, Kante’s impact on the team is comparable to that of other top players. He played a vital role in Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League victory, and if he can return to form in time for the second leg against Borussia Dortmund in two weeks, he could once again make a significant difference. His presence could even save Potter’s job, as his talents could help the team perform at their best and achieve success.
Tuchel has given Potter advice on saving Chelsea job as Kante return nears
