Blow for Chelsea as Graham Potter says £30m star player won’t play vs Leicester

Chelsea manager Graham Potter has claimed in his pre-match press conference that Chelsea are hoping to have N’Golo Kante available for selection again next weekend ahead of their game against Everton.

Many will have been hoping that tomorrow could have seen him make his return to the pitch after he has been in training for more than a week.

The Frenchman has not been seen since the second game of the season, when he was forced off against Tottenham in the second half.

Now, he is pushing to return and potentially feature as the long-term partner in midfield to club-record signing Enzo Fernandez.

This would see him replace Mateo Kovacic, who the Chelsea players were happy to see captain the side against Borussia Dortmund in the week.

Kante not fit for Leicester

However, Potter has confirmed that the game against his former side tomorrow is coming too soon for the Frenchman, although it will not be long until fans will see him again.

He said: “No, no he won’t [available]. Still needs more time to build up. We are looking to build him up to Everton.

“The most important thing for those two [Silva and Kante] is to get them back injury free. The more good players we have the better. Football decides – performances and results. Things change and opportunities arrive.”

Potter has elected to use a number of midfield partners to play with Fernandez since he joined in January, while he has claimed that it has been frustrating he has been unable to add Kante to that list.

The likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher have been utilised, with it clear that a player with defensive prowess will help get the best out of the World Cup winner.

Other team news will see Reece James miss the game tomorrow due to illness.