MX23RW : Thursday, December 12 23:49:59| >> :120:17342:17342:
[monks data]
Barcelona logo
Pre-season Friendlies
Jul 23, 2019 at 11.30am UK
 
Chelsea logo

1-2

Rakitic (91')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Abraham (35'), Barkley (81')

Frank Lampard hopeful over N'Golo Kante recovery

Frank Lampard hopeful over N'Golo Kante recovery
© Reuters
The Chelsea midfielder has been struggling with a knee injury and faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the season.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard remains hopeful that N'Golo Kante will be fit "very soon" after sending the midfielder home from Japan for treatment.

The 28-year-old has been struggling with a knee injury he picked up on the eve of Chelsea's 4-1 Europa League final win over Arsenal in May and faces a race against time to recover for the start of the new Premier League campaign.

Kante is yet to feature for Lampard's side during pre-season and the decision was taken to send the France international home before Chelsea beat Barcelona 2-1 in the Rakuten Cup friendly clash in Saitama.

"He is okay," Lampard said in his post-match press conference.

"It was a decision that I made because I felt that him being here, with the facilities and the moving and travel that we have been doing, it probably wasn't the most beneficial for him.

"He went back, has had a few days at Cobham (Chelsea's training base), working well, progressing, so hopefully by the time that we get back at the end of the week I will sit down with the doctor and hopefully know that he will be back with us very soon."

David Luiz, right, and Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann, left, compete for the ball
David Luiz, right, and Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann, left, compete for the ball (Eugene Hoshiko/PA)

Chelsea saw off a Barcelona side made up of experienced and B-team players, with new signings Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie De Jong both playing some part for the LaLiga champions.

Goals from Tammy Abraham and Ross Barkley were enough to seal victory, with Ivan Rakitic scoring a fine consolation strike in the closing stages.

Abraham and midfielder Mason Mount are looking to earn themselves a regular place in Lampard's side this season having spent last year out on loan at Aston Villa and Derby respectively.

"I won't get carried away with anything about this performance," added the new Chelsea manager.

"Tammy's a goalscorer and he's hungry for goals. Now it's his time to prove it for Chelsea. To get his goal will put him in good stead. There's competition.

"Mason's had a great trip and he's announced himself into the first-team squad."

ID:365833: cacheID:365833:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5977:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
New Chelsea manager Frank Lampard during the press conference on July 4, 2019
Read Next:
Chelsea planning loan exit for Tomori?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!