- Kante hasn't featured for Chelsea since August
- Hamstring injury rehab nearly finished
- Mount and Thiago watch behind-closed-doors friendly
WHAT HAPPENED? The Athleticreport that Kante played an hour in the friendly match, a 3-0 win for a Chelsea side against Charlton, and came through without any kind of knock or setback. The 31-year-old hasn't played a competitive match since August. Mount and Thiago Silva, who have both also been out for lengthy periods of late, were both in attendance. The England midfielder ever wore a 'Kante 7' shirt back to front, in support of his team-mate.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE: It's been a long road back for Kante since he suffered a hamstring issue in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on August 14. The club spent a record £106 million on midfielder Enzo Fernandez in January but Kante will now try to work his way into Graham Potter's plans.
AND WHAT'S MORE: Kante hasn't featured since Potter's arrival, with the manager providing an update on his fitness last weekend. “N’Golo’s due to carry on training Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with potentially a game to give him some minutes,” he said.
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WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA? Potter's side are back in action on April 1 in the Premier League against Aston Villa, although it remains to be seen whether that game will come too soon for Kante to start.