Football News: N'Golo Kante is back to training as Chelsea handed a triple injury boost

Edouard Mendy has been spotted back in training after a reoccurring knee injury kept him out of recent European matches against GNK Dinamo Zagreb and Red Bull Salzburg, with Kepa Arrizabalaga filling in.

Christian Pulisic missed the United States 2-0 loss to Japan. Still, USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter has stated that the 24-year-old has healed and will start Monday's encounter against Saudi Arabia in Murca, Portugal.

The announcement will be a tremendous boost for new Chelsea manager Graham Potter, hired on September 8 and scheduled to lead Chelsea in his debut Premier League match at Selhurst Park.

Kante is preparing to return to total activity at Cobham after suffering a hamstring injury against Tottenham earlier this season.

The midfielder has been plagued by fitness issues over the past few years and is desperate to remain on the field for club and country as the World Cup approaches.

With limited success, a poor fit with Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, Conor Gallagher, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been attempted to replace the void in defence.

"N'Golo Kante has returned to part training at Cobham after missing Chelsea's last six matches with a hamstring injury," Chelsea stated on their website. "It's welcome news for Graham Potter ahead of a mammoth month ahead, with nine matches scheduled across October in all competitions."

Additionally, the Blues uploaded a video of Kante training on Tuesday. He is not expected to return this weekend, but progress has been made.

Kante, who presently makes £290,000 per week, has been out for long stretches due to knee and muscular issues.

How has Chelsea fared without N'Golo Kante?

Since losing their defensive midfielder, Chelsea has lost all three games: 3-0 to Leeds, 2-1 to Southampton, and 1-0 to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.

Kante had not played for Chelsea since mid-August when they drew 2-2 with Tottenham. He has also been sidelined for France's September Nations League games. In his absence, they are just 2-2.

The Frenchman joined an exclusive group of athletes in 2017, having won the Premier League with Leicester and Chelsea. He repeated the feat with the Blues.

After helping France win the World Cup the following year, he was awarded the best player in the Premier League, the PFA, and the FWA.

Kante has been a significant reason Chelsea has been so successful recently, with FA Cup, Europa League, and Champions League titles.

However, he remained sidelined for most of the 2019–20 season—a year in which Chelsea won nothing—and saw little action in the Premier League again the following year, making just 21 appearances.

After the match against Crystal Palace on Saturday, Potter's team will continue in the Champions League against AC Milan on Wednesday.