N’Golo Kante’s significant drop in form, according to Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, could perhaps be due to the player fasting for Ramadan.
Kante is a faithful Muslim who is presently observing Ramadan, which indicates that from April 1 to May 1, he is not entitled to eat or drink throughout daylight hours.
The Frenchman, who is an essential element of Tuchel’s team, was substituted at half-time for the first time in his career during Chelsea’s 3-1 Champions League humiliation to Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, a decision that stunned several analysts.
Kante’s recent troubles, according to Thomas Tuchel, might be due to the player fasting during Ramadan. Tuchel later revealed that he took Kante out at halftime for strategic purposes after the midfielder underperformed in the first 45 minutes.
Kante’s games are generally high-octane, but he hasn’t looked like himself since recovering from knee and thigh injuries suffered during Chelsea’s terrible winter.
In January, the 31-year-old came back positive for Covid-19 for the second time, complicating his troubles. “One thing is clear that N’Golo is a key player because he has outstanding and unique qualities,” Tuchel said in his press conference on Friday. “He’s a unique player, who gives us something nobody else can.”
He then continued by indicating the Ramadan fasting as what might have impeded the Midfileder’s performance “He’s struggling with consistency due to injuries, and illness and this is also the reason for our bit of inconsistency. We have missed him for so many matches, now he’s fasting due to his religion and beliefs so maybe another reason. Not for the first time but if for many days you don’t drink or eat it can have an effect.”
“Maybe it’s also part of the explanation we had the feeling he’s not on his highest level if you can compare him against Real Madrid last year. This is nothing to be ashamed of or to feel sorry for. We try to push him because we know what he has when he’s on the pitch.”
Kante might still start for Chelsea against Southampton tomorrow, as the Blues seek to maintain their position in the Premier League’s top three. Chelsea will face a stiff challenge from Real Madrid in the second leg on Tuesday, as well as Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals next weekend.
