By Jonty Banks

18th Mar, 2023 | 10:10am

Fabrizio Romano shares Graham Potter update on fitness of N'Golo Kante for Chelsea v Everton clash

Fabrizio Romano has shared that N’Golo Kante could be “set for his return” to the Chelsea first-team for their Premier League clash against Everton on Saturday, 18 March.

Reporting via his personal Twitter account (17 March), the Guardian journalist shared quotes from Chelsea manager Graham Potter that stated there was a chance the World Cup winner would return to the Stamford Bridge pitch to take on Sean Dyche’s side.

Kante has been sidelined for over seven months with a hamstring injury he suffered against Tottenham on August 14, which has meant he is yet to feature under the new Blues boss.

Romano wrote: “N’Golo Kante, set for his return — Potter said he has ‘a chance’ of being part of Chelsea squad to face Everton.

“’N’Golo Kante is N’Golo Kante. A top player. It’s great for us he’s back’, Potter also added.”

Tough task

Everton already had enough on their hands without the news that Kante could be returning to the Chelsea team on Saturday.

The Toffees travel to the London club in fine fettle after picking up four points from their last two Premier League outings and ending Brentford’s club-record 12-match unbeaten run, thanks to Dwight McNeil’s superb strike in the first minute of the match.

Despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin seemingly being set back by yet more injury concerns, the mantle has fallen to Demarai Gray to take up a false nine position.

The 26-year-old has taken to the position with remarkable ease so far and was Everton’s greatest threat in the win at Goodison Park last time out. The Toffees are likely to sit back in a low block against the star-studded Blues, but having Gray as an option on the break could be a useful tool to possess.

Dyche will be praying that Kante isn’t deemed fit enough to start the game, as the midfielder is renowned for mopping up counter-attacks such as the ones Gray enjoys embarking on.