RAY WILKINS has bemoaned Chelsea’s decision to sell Nemanja Matic to Manchester United, after midfielder N’Golo Kante was injured playing for France in the international break.
The perpetual midfielder, who was crowned PFA Player of the Year last season, was taken off 34 minutes into France’s 1-0 win over Bulgaria with a suspected hamstring injury. He has returned to Chelsea’s training ground to be assessed today.
This leaves a hole in midfield for Chelsea, after Matic was sold to United in the summer for £40m. The Serbian has played every minute of league football under Mourinho this season, proving his importance to the Red Devils.
Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins told Sky Sports: “I’m annoyed he’s [Nemanja Matic] been allowed to leave Stamford Bridge.
“Kante has injured himself the other night with his thigh, we don’t know if he will be playing at the weekend.
“Matic, for me, is the best holding midfield player – one of the best in the world anyway. I’m very sad that he’s left.”
Antonio Conte bought former Leicester City man Danny Drinkwater in the summer to replace Matic, but the England midfielder is experiencing injury problems of his own and has not appeared for Chelsea this season.
Recently, Conte has been fielding three centre-midfielders, but his hand may be forced on Saturday against Crystal Palace into starting only two.
Tiemoue Bakayoko and Cesc Fabregas are likely to assume those roles, while some youth players may get a chance to impress the Italian.
Source:www.express.co.uk