‘There’s still a small chance’ – Hope Chelsea player could return sooner than expected

Chelsea announced on Tuesday that N’Golo Kante has tested positive for Covid-19 and will subsequently go through a period of isolation.

The quick assumption, both in France and England, was that it’d mean he’d miss the upcoming international break, and not be included in Didier Deschamps’ squad.

However, there’s still a little hope the Chelsea player can play some part for France in the coming weeks, report L’Equipe. Kante will miss the next two matches for Thomas Tuchel’s side, against Juventus in the Champions League and Southampton in the Premier League.

In theory, he could return to action on October 7th, which is the day France face Belgium in the Nations League. However, this option has ‘already been ruled out’ by staff at the national team, who are awaiting a ‘full medical file’ on the issue.

France will then face either Italy or Spain three days later, and a source from the national team camp is quoted by L’Equipe as saying ‘There’s still a very small chance’ he could participate in that match.

However, the French newspaper don’t believe there’s too much confidence behind that statement.