N'Golo
Kante made his return from injury as Chelsea ended their pre-season campaign
with a 2-2 draw at Borussia Monchengladbach.
The France international had not featured in pre-season due to a knee injury
but came on for the final 18 minutes in Germany to hand Frank Lampard a huge
boost ahead of his side's Premier League opener against Manchester United
next Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Kante helped the Blues to a draw at Monchengladbach, who finished fifth in
the Bundesliga last season, as two second-half penalties cancelled out
strikes from Alassane Plea (13) and Jonas Hofmann (39) in the opening 45
minutes.
Tammy Abraham scored the first in the 59th minute after Mateo Kovacic was
tripped in the penalty area.
Chelsea had a golden opportunity to level the scores from open play when
Ross Barkley latched onto a loose back pass but the England midfielder
struck wide from 12 yards.
Chelsea team news
Chelsea starting XI: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Christensen, Emerson,
Kovacic, Jorginho, Mount, Pedro, Abraham, Pulisic.
Subs used: Alonso, Barkley, Kenedy, Kante, Giroud.
Unused subs: Caballero, Ziger, Zappacosta, Luiz, Tomori.
However, there was still time for an equaliser and it came four minutes from
time after former Tottenham youngster Keanan Bennetts brought down Mason
Mount in the penalty area.
It handed Barkley another chance and he made no mistake, rescuing a share of
the spoils for Lampard's side.
Lampard explains 18-min Kante cameo
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard: "That was always the plan. He's working a
little bit now and it was just to give him the feeling of match time as he
hasn't been able to do that yet as it's an awkward injury. I just wanted him
to feel it and us to see it as you cannot replicate it unless you do it.
"It was a good opportunity to do that for him and we'll work hard on getting
him fit. Who knows if he'll be ready for next week or not, but we'll work
hard for that. We also have to be a bit careful as he's played so many games
over the past three seasons and we don't want to rush him back if it's going
to be a negative. We'll do our best to get him back."
What's next?
Chelsea open their Premier League campaign with a trip to Old Trafford on
August 11 to face Manchester United (kick-off 4.30pm).
You can watch all the action live on Super Sunday on Sky Sports Premier
League from 4pm.
Chelsea's pre-season
May 16: New England Revolution 3-0 Chelsea
July 10: Bohemians 1-1 Chelsea
July 13: St Patrick's Athletic 0-4 Chelsea
July 19: Kawasaki Frontale 1-0 Chelsea
July 23: Barcelona 1-2 Chelsea
July 28: Reading 3-4 Chelsea
July 31: RB Salzburg 3-5 Chelsea
August 3: Borussia Monchengladbach 2-2 Chelsea
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