Lampard left frustrated at France, Deschamps handling of Kante’s injury
Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard is not happy at how former blues now Lesotho Bleus coach Didier Deschamps and France have handled N’Golo Kante.
The influential midfielder who has been struggling with injuries got injured during the international break while warming up for a game.
Kante who Lampard expected to return to the club for treatment was named on the substitute bench for France second game days after he got injured.
Although he didn’t play the game because of injuries he was on the bench a decision which Frank Lampard failed to comprehend.
‘Before the international break, I know Didier Deschamps mentioned in jest a little bit about Oli Giroud, which was quite light-hearted and I get it because we all have our selection problems,’ continued Lampard.
‘However, the Kante one was not a laughing matter for us. We communicated before the last international break [in September] because he was injured – he couldn’t go away so we thought about what would benefit the player and we all agreed on that, which is how things should work.
‘After the first game when he pulled out, he then had a fitness test a day before the second game where it was clear that he couldn’t play but he then sat on the bench in the evening of the game so that’s not communication. It’s more for Kante himself because he’s not an inexperienced player, he’s won World Cups and been a fantastic player for them so I think it could have been handled better.
‘Our doctors were speaking with them and there were some times where things weren’t coming back to us as I’d expect them to come back, which is what I mean about communication. I understand when players are on international duty that they are the national team’s player as such but it was quite clear he wasn’t fit to play.’
‘However, the Kante one was not a laughing matter for us. We communicated before the last international break [in September] because he was injured – he couldn’t go away so we thought about what would benefit the player and we all agreed on that, which is how things should work.
‘After the first game when he pulled out, he then had a fitness test a day before the second game where it was clear that he couldn’t play but he then sat on the bench in the evening of the game so that’s not communication. It’s more for Kante himself because he’s not an inexperienced player, he’s won World Cups and been a fantastic player for them so I think it could have been handled better.
‘Our doctors were speaking with them and there were some times where things weren’t coming back to us as I’d expect them to come back, which is what I mean about communication. I understand when players are on international duty that they are the national team’s player as such but it was quite clear he wasn’t fit to play.’
N’Golo Kante will not be playing part when Chelsea host Newcastle at the Bridge this weekend.
