Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has conceded that influential midfielder N’Golo Kante has only a “fifty-fifty” chance of being fit for Wednesday night’s Europa League final against Arsenal, and that his team could be “in trouble” without him.
France international Kante has been a mainstay in Chelsea’s midfield this season, but he injured his knee during a training session on Saturday and is now up against it to be fit in time for the final.
Chelsea are already without Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who ruptured his Achilles tendon in a friendly match against New England Revolution last week, with Sarri seemingly pessimistic over Kante’s chances of recovering in time.
“He has a very little problem with his left knee, but the problem is with the timing,” Sarri said.
“We are in trouble with the midfield. At the moment we have only three midfielders for three positions so we are in trouble. He is the only defensive midfielder that we have, so for us Kante is really very important. We are trying to recover him and we will try tomorrow morning.”
1/26 Chelsea 2018/19 player ratings
How did Chelsea’s players perform this season? Ahead of their final match of the 2018/19 campaign, the Europa League final against Arsenal in Baku, we give each member of the Blues’ squad a rating out of 10.
EPA
2/26 Maurizio Sarri 7/10
A shortened pre-season as his arrival dragged on throughout the summer, Sarri hit the ground running, attempted to change a decade-long style and, eventually, provided invaluable minutes to academy graduates Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek – something the fanbase has craved for years. His stubbornness and lack of variety frustrated many, but eventually he adjusted, pushing City mightily close in the League Cup final and leading the Blues to third and the Europa League final. A satisfactory debut season under difficult circumstances
Getty Images
3/26 Kepa Arrizabalaga 7/10
He arrived with the enormous weight and expectation from his price tag as the world’s most expensive goalkeeper. Yet Kepa settled quickly, making very few mistakes and proving quietly productive with his feet. The incident at Wembley to not accept Maurizio Sarri’s substitution vs Man City was regretful, yet he bounced back and was pivotal in ensuring the Blues won the shoot-out vs Frankfurt to reach the Europa League final. Still a long way to go to justify the price tag and prove Chelsea have a long-term solution, but he’s made a decent start
Bongarts/Getty Images
4/26 Willy Caballero 7/10
Handled the Kepa fiasco maturely and proved reliable when he stepped in, five clean sheets in eight appearances – about as solid as you can find as a No 2 without the realistic ambition to surpass the No 1
Getty Images
5/26 Rob Green n/a
No first team appearances, but seemingly slotted in to his role and proved likable in the dressing room. A send-off in Boston in the friendly vs New England Revolution was deserved
Getty Images
6/26 Antonio Rudiger 8/10
Emerging as one of the top five centre-backs in the Premier League with little fanfare. Excellent at recovering, efficient with the ball and even able to stroll out from the back, a cornerstone for Chelsea moving forward. Cruelly denied
REUTERS
7/26 Marcos Alonso 5/10
A season of regression with his place now under serious threat despite signing a new five-year deal. Productive nonetheless with four goals and seven assists, but a liability at times when defending
Getty Images
8/26 Emerson 6/10
Has impressed Sarri enough to nudge Alonso out of the starting line-up at times, but is yet to fully lock down a starting role. Has at least proven to be decent competition and cover
EPA
9/26 Cesar Azpilicueta 6/10
Has shown signs of decline but still a favourite under Sarri. Starting to show defensive fragility for almost the first time in his Chelsea career and when the side became predictable, his lack of penetration going forward became evident
Getty Images
10/26 Davide Zappacosta 5/10
Has been an option late in games when Chelsea are chasing and can cross well from deep areas, but will surely be moved on this summer with Reece James and/or Ola Aina natural squad options
Getty Images
11/26 Andreas Christensen 5/10
Has been frustrated at his lack of starts behind Luiz and Rudiger. Has filled in well to an extent when called upon though, but lacked consistency
Action Images via Reuters
12/26 David Luiz 7/10
Has been Sarri’s mind on the pitch and key to the style transition. Very few defenders better with the ball at their feet and for that reason his extension has proven shrewd. Occasional lack of concentration, but that will not change at this stage of his career. One of the few leaders left at Chelsea and was pivotal in stopping this side fully unravel at times
REUTERS
13/26 Gary Cahill 5/10
Harshly treated by Sarri, but not a fit for the way he wanted to play, will be fondly remembered after winning everything with the Blues and eventually received the send-off he deserved
EPA
14/26 Jorginho 6/10
Started brilliantly to inspire a new style at the Bridge. But has been treated ridiculously by some Chelsea fans, who have bizarrely booed him at times this season. Responded well in the last few months and appears to have now settled, will play a vital role in the outcome in Baku
PA
15/26 N’Golo Kante 7/10
Embraced his new, more adventurous role to the right of Jorginho. Added craft to his game and his energy was critical to Sarriball showing promising signs in year one. Injury is a concern ahead of Baku, but he seems set to recover in time
Action Images via Reuters
16/26 Mateo Kovacic 6/10
Has not shone much, but always reliable in possession. Just lacks that cutting edge in the final third and has almost no production in terms of goals and assists despite the freedom of his role. Sarri remains a fan and they will try to sign him permanently
Getty Images
17/26 Ethan Ampadu 6/10
The Blues youngster was part of the first team squad throughout the season and impressed in the Europa League: brave on the ball and demonstrating excellent positioning – hasn’t played since suffering a back injury in February
Getty
18/26 Ruben Loftus-Cheek 8/10
Flourished in the second half of the season to show real signs he can blossom into one of the game’s best box-to-box midfielders, scoring 10 goals in the process. Cruelly injured before the Europa League final and will be out for many months with an Achilles injury
AFP/Getty Images
19/26 Ross Barkley 6/10
Scored the late equaliser vs United and won his England place back, but rarely felt like a ‘starter’, doing little to justify leaving out Loftus-Cheek and Kovacic for long spells. Will need to step it up next season or he will likely be moved on
Getty Images
20/26 Pedro 7/10
Scored 12 goals and made five assists. His strikes against Tottenham and Frankfurt proved especially important and with Gonzalo Higuain and Olivier Giroud blunting the Blues’ attack, he has emerged as probably the best finisher in this squad, supporting the burden on Eden Hazard
EPA
21/26 Gonzalo Higuain 5/10
Has not settled at all, looking slow and offering little outside his movement inside the area, he looks set to return to Turin this summer, even if the transfer ban is held
Getty Images
22/26 Olivier Giroud 7/10
Unable to convince Sarri he was worth a permanent role to spearhead the side’s attack, yet always proving useful when called upon, especially so in the Europa League, where he became the top scorer in the competition with 10 goals alongside Luka Jovic – deserved a longer run in the side in the league
PA
23/26 Alvaro Morata 4/10
Suffered a woeful spell of form and loss of confidence and eventually accepted a move to Atletico in January. Ends his Chelsea career with 24 goals in 72 appearances
Getty
24/26 Callum Hudson-Odoi 7/10
He had to show great patience before a sustained run in the side came, but he justified the hype and showed himself to be worth of starts ahead of Pedro and Willian at times. Quick feet and a refreshing willingness to go on the outside and cross the ball – which would have helped Higuain and Giroud in the closing stages of the season. Will be forced to show more mental resolve to come back from an Achilles injury next season, with his future yet to be clarified entering the final year of his contract
Getty Images
25/26 Willian 6/10
A frustrating presence in the side during Chelsea’s predictable spell when sides began to work out Sarriball and also blocked Hudson-Odoi’s opportunities at times. Still provides hard work and neat in possession, but rarely able to provide a cutting edge. Another player with an uncertain future and only one year remaining on his contract
REUTERS
26/26 Eden Hazard 9/10
Outstanding at times and back to the form to suggest he is the best player in the Premier League, has done enough to earn his move to Real Madrid and will be sorely missed. Without him and his 19 goals and 16 assists, Chelsea would have surely fallen short of top four and been unable to compete with Man City in two of their three meetings
REUTERS
1/26 Chelsea 2018/19 player ratings
How did Chelsea’s players perform this season? Ahead of their final match of the 2018/19 campaign, the Europa League final against Arsenal in Baku, we give each member of the Blues’ squad a rating out of 10.
EPA
2/26 Maurizio Sarri 7/10
A shortened pre-season as his arrival dragged on throughout the summer, Sarri hit the ground running, attempted to change a decade-long style and, eventually, provided invaluable minutes to academy graduates Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek – something the fanbase has craved for years. His stubbornness and lack of variety frustrated many, but eventually he adjusted, pushing City mightily close in the League Cup final and leading the Blues to third and the Europa League final. A satisfactory debut season under difficult circumstances
Getty Images
3/26 Kepa Arrizabalaga 7/10
He arrived with the enormous weight and expectation from his price tag as the world’s most expensive goalkeeper. Yet Kepa settled quickly, making very few mistakes and proving quietly productive with his feet. The incident at Wembley to not accept Maurizio Sarri’s substitution vs Man City was regretful, yet he bounced back and was pivotal in ensuring the Blues won the shoot-out vs Frankfurt to reach the Europa League final. Still a long way to go to justify the price tag and prove Chelsea have a long-term solution, but he’s made a decent start
Bongarts/Getty Images
4/26 Willy Caballero 7/10
Handled the Kepa fiasco maturely and proved reliable when he stepped in, five clean sheets in eight appearances – about as solid as you can find as a No 2 without the realistic ambition to surpass the No 1
Getty Images
5/26 Rob Green n/a
No first team appearances, but seemingly slotted in to his role and proved likable in the dressing room. A send-off in Boston in the friendly vs New England Revolution was deserved
Getty Images
6/26 Antonio Rudiger 8/10
Emerging as one of the top five centre-backs in the Premier League with little fanfare. Excellent at recovering, efficient with the ball and even able to stroll out from the back, a cornerstone for Chelsea moving forward. Cruelly denied
REUTERS
7/26 Marcos Alonso 5/10
A season of regression with his place now under serious threat despite signing a new five-year deal. Productive nonetheless with four goals and seven assists, but a liability at times when defending
Getty Images
8/26 Emerson 6/10
Has impressed Sarri enough to nudge Alonso out of the starting line-up at times, but is yet to fully lock down a starting role. Has at least proven to be decent competition and cover
EPA
9/26 Cesar Azpilicueta 6/10
Has shown signs of decline but still a favourite under Sarri. Starting to show defensive fragility for almost the first time in his Chelsea career and when the side became predictable, his lack of penetration going forward became evident
Getty Images
10/26 Davide Zappacosta 5/10
Has been an option late in games when Chelsea are chasing and can cross well from deep areas, but will surely be moved on this summer with Reece James and/or Ola Aina natural squad options
Getty Images
11/26 Andreas Christensen 5/10
Has been frustrated at his lack of starts behind Luiz and Rudiger. Has filled in well to an extent when called upon though, but lacked consistency
Action Images via Reuters
12/26 David Luiz 7/10
Has been Sarri’s mind on the pitch and key to the style transition. Very few defenders better with the ball at their feet and for that reason his extension has proven shrewd. Occasional lack of concentration, but that will not change at this stage of his career. One of the few leaders left at Chelsea and was pivotal in stopping this side fully unravel at times
REUTERS
13/26 Gary Cahill 5/10
Harshly treated by Sarri, but not a fit for the way he wanted to play, will be fondly remembered after winning everything with the Blues and eventually received the send-off he deserved
EPA
14/26 Jorginho 6/10
Started brilliantly to inspire a new style at the Bridge. But has been treated ridiculously by some Chelsea fans, who have bizarrely booed him at times this season. Responded well in the last few months and appears to have now settled, will play a vital role in the outcome in Baku
PA
15/26 N’Golo Kante 7/10
Embraced his new, more adventurous role to the right of Jorginho. Added craft to his game and his energy was critical to Sarriball showing promising signs in year one. Injury is a concern ahead of Baku, but he seems set to recover in time
Action Images via Reuters
16/26 Mateo Kovacic 6/10
Has not shone much, but always reliable in possession. Just lacks that cutting edge in the final third and has almost no production in terms of goals and assists despite the freedom of his role. Sarri remains a fan and they will try to sign him permanently
Getty Images
17/26 Ethan Ampadu 6/10
The Blues youngster was part of the first team squad throughout the season and impressed in the Europa League: brave on the ball and demonstrating excellent positioning – hasn’t played since suffering a back injury in February
Getty
18/26 Ruben Loftus-Cheek 8/10
Flourished in the second half of the season to show real signs he can blossom into one of the game’s best box-to-box midfielders, scoring 10 goals in the process. Cruelly injured before the Europa League final and will be out for many months with an Achilles injury
AFP/Getty Images
19/26 Ross Barkley 6/10
Scored the late equaliser vs United and won his England place back, but rarely felt like a ‘starter’, doing little to justify leaving out Loftus-Cheek and Kovacic for long spells. Will need to step it up next season or he will likely be moved on
Getty Images
20/26 Pedro 7/10
Scored 12 goals and made five assists. His strikes against Tottenham and Frankfurt proved especially important and with Gonzalo Higuain and Olivier Giroud blunting the Blues’ attack, he has emerged as probably the best finisher in this squad, supporting the burden on Eden Hazard
EPA
21/26 Gonzalo Higuain 5/10
Has not settled at all, looking slow and offering little outside his movement inside the area, he looks set to return to Turin this summer, even if the transfer ban is held
Getty Images
22/26 Olivier Giroud 7/10
Unable to convince Sarri he was worth a permanent role to spearhead the side’s attack, yet always proving useful when called upon, especially so in the Europa League, where he became the top scorer in the competition with 10 goals alongside Luka Jovic – deserved a longer run in the side in the league
PA
23/26 Alvaro Morata 4/10
Suffered a woeful spell of form and loss of confidence and eventually accepted a move to Atletico in January. Ends his Chelsea career with 24 goals in 72 appearances
Getty
24/26 Callum Hudson-Odoi 7/10
He had to show great patience before a sustained run in the side came, but he justified the hype and showed himself to be worth of starts ahead of Pedro and Willian at times. Quick feet and a refreshing willingness to go on the outside and cross the ball – which would have helped Higuain and Giroud in the closing stages of the season. Will be forced to show more mental resolve to come back from an Achilles injury next season, with his future yet to be clarified entering the final year of his contract
Getty Images
25/26 Willian 6/10
A frustrating presence in the side during Chelsea’s predictable spell when sides began to work out Sarriball and also blocked Hudson-Odoi’s opportunities at times. Still provides hard work and neat in possession, but rarely able to provide a cutting edge. Another player with an uncertain future and only one year remaining on his contract
REUTERS
26/26 Eden Hazard 9/10
Outstanding at times and back to the form to suggest he is the best player in the Premier League, has done enough to earn his move to Real Madrid and will be sorely missed. Without him and his 19 goals and 16 assists, Chelsea would have surely fallen short of top four and been unable to compete with Man City in two of their three meetings
REUTERS
Kante did not join his team-mates for the start of Chelsea’s open training session on Tuesday night in Baku, but did make an appearance halfway through to take part in a group warm-up.
Sarri also downplayed growing rumours from Italy that he is in line to replace Massimiliano Allegri as Juventus manager — although stopped short of completely ruling such a move out.
“I want to think only about the final,” he replied when asked about the vacant Juventus job. “Then I have a contract with Chelsea for two years. So first of all, I will speak with them. This is not the moment.
“We are all thinking only about the final. And you all know about my opinion because my opinion is the same as at the last press conference. Today, I will speak only about the final and my players need for me to speak only about the final.”
