Kante is out for 3 weeks

CAIRO – 13 October 2017: Chelsea’s coach, Antonio Conte, confirmed on Friday that French midfielder N'Golo Kanté will be out for three weeks off the pitch after the hamstring injury he suffered last Saturday with his team in Bulgaria.

"Kanté will do new tests next week to see if his situation has improved. In the latest test, we learned he will be out between 20 and 21 days," Conte explained in the press conference prior to the league clash against the Crystal Palace.

Kanté, 26, was best player of the year in England last season and suffered a muscle injury in the 34th minute of France's match against Bulgaria in Sofia (0-1 win), where he had to be replaced by Adrien Rabiot.

"It's a big loss for us. Everyone knows the importance of Kanté in our team, since we do not have any players of his characteristics," Conte said.

In addition to Saturday's match against Crystal Palace, Premier League matches against Watford (21 October) and Bournemouth (31 October), the League Cup match against Everton (25 October) and Champions League commitments against Roma (18 October and 31 October).

The absence of Kanté, coupled with the well- known Danny Drinkwater loss, leaves Chelsea with only two available midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Timoué Bakayoko, forcing Conte to "adapt defenses to midfielders."

"We only have Fàbregas and Bakayoko available, and we face seven games in a month, so it will be about finding solutions, how to adapt defenses and turn them into midfielders," said the Italian coach.