Europe 1 with AFP 10:28 p.m., October 18, 2022

French midfielder N'Golo Kanté has undergone hamstring surgery and will be sidelined for four months, which will deprive him of the World Cup in Qatar, his club Chelsea announced on Tuesday.

Didier Deschamps, coach of the France team reacted to the news.

"We will miss him," whispered the coach of the Blues. 

The decision to operate was taken "by mutual agreement" after consultation with a specialist, Chelsea explained, adding in their statement: "Following a successful operation, N'Golo should now be unavailable. for four months."

This confirms information revealed a few days ago by

the team

. 

The announcement did not surprise anyone, the world champion having only played the first two days of the Premier League with his club before joining the infirmary.

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"I'm sad for him"

"I'm sad for him. He's disappointed. He's had physical problems for the past two seasons. He relapsed after a muscle injury," said Didier Deschamps.

"Not having him is one less force, because of his energy, his experience. Humanly, he is such an endearing little man, who always has a smile (...) We will miss him", added the coach of the Blues.

A little over a week ago, when he seemed about to return to competition after returning to collective training, coach Graham Potter had left him aside for the trip to AC Milan in the Champions League.

"N'Golo had a reaction during training, so we are waiting for more information on that," the coach said at a pre-match press conference.

"It's obviously not ideal. It's disappointing for him and for us. We have to wait to see the degree of seriousness and we will advise," he added.

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Over 60 matches missed since 2019

A few days later, before the trip to Aston Villa on Saturday in the Premier League, he admitted to being "worried" about this "relapse in the final stages of convalescence".

"Historically, there are things that have happened that are worrying and we must be clear about them," he continued, referring to Kanté's numerous absences in recent seasons.

Since the 2019/2020 season, the midfielder has missed more than 60 matches for muscle or joint injuries, as well as for two Covid-19 infections.

At 31 and with his contract expiring at the end of the season with Chelsea, Kanté risks not returning until the very end of winter and this surgery almost looks like a last-ditch operation to get his career back on track. on track.