Lampard Unhappy With France Over Kante Injury
Muhammad Rameez Published October 18, 2019 | 08:40 PM
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has taken a swipe at France boss Didier Deschamps after N'Golo Kante was injured on international duty
Kante will miss Chelsea's Premier League clash with Newcastle on Saturday after the midfielder suffered a groin injury last week.
The 28-year-old sustained the problem while warming up for France's Euro 2020 qualifier with Iceland on Friday.
But instead of being allowed to return to London to be assessed by Chelsea's medical team, Kante stayed with the France squad and watched from the bench when they faced Turkey the following Monday.
Lampard is unhappy that Deschamps and the French Football Federation failed to let Kante leave.
"N'Golo's not fit, he had a small groin issue in the warm-up to the first international game for France," Lampard told reporters on Friday.
"We didn't get him back until after the second game and he's not fit for Saturday.
"After the first game when he pulled out, he then had a fitness test the day before the second game, it was clear that he couldn't play.
"He then sat on the bench on the evening of the game, so that's not communication." Deschamps had previously risked angering Lampard by suggesting Chelsea's France forward Olivier Giroud is not getting enough playing time at Stamford Bridge.
But Lampard was far more frustrated with the communication breakdown over Kante, who was also unavailable for France in September because of an ankle injury that sidelined him for four Chelsea games.
"Before the international break, I know Didier Deschamps mentioned in jest a little bit about Olivier Giroud and that was obviously quite light-hearted and I get it, we all have our selection problems and he had his in the two games," Lampard said.
"But the Kante one was not a laughing matter because we communicated before the last international break he was injured so couldn't go.
"Let's think what benefits the player, he didn't go, we both agreed on that. That's how things should work.
"I understand when players are on international duty they are their player as such, but it was quite clear he wasn't fit to play." - Christensen blow - Lampard suffered another injury blow this week, with Denmark centre-back Andreas Christensen ruled out for a fortnight.
"Andreas Christensen has got a hamstring injury which will see him out for probably the next two weeks," Lampard said.
Four of Lampard's players -- Ross Barkley, Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount -- were with England in Bulgaria on Monday for the Euro 2020 qualifier that was twice stopped due to racism from the home fans.
Lampard, who was part of the national team during a previous trip to Bulgaria marred by racism, said he was pleased with the way England dealt with the toxic atmosphere in Sofia.
"I kind of remember the game (in 2011), I think I was on the bench. I felt what we all felt at the time and maybe we did not speak up enough," he said.
"I think the big progression of Monday night is that the governing body have to take a big step.
"The way the England players and staff dealt with it was really positive. I have spoken to the players, there is not much to say. I am there to support them."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
Malala expresses unwavering support for Gaza people
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
More Stories From Sports
-
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
10 minutes ago -
Norman sees Adelaide success as blueprint for all LIV Golf events
31 minutes ago -
Mohsin Naqvi reconstitutes women’s selection committee
1 hour ago -
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performance
2 hours ago -
Paris holds its breath for Olympic swimming events in murky Seine
4 hours ago -
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
14 hours ago
-
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
14 hours ago -
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
14 hours ago -
Watford hire Cleverley as permanent boss
15 hours ago -
Karachi, Lahore, Multan win matches of National Women’s Cricket Tournament
15 hours ago -
No communication gap among players, asserts Babar Azam
15 hours ago -
Bracewell looks ahead to Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan
15 hours ago