Thomas Tuchel said Chelsea's likely third-place Premier League finish despite the injury struggles of key player N'Golo Kante is nothing short of a "miracle".
French midfielder Kante has endured an injury-ravaged campaign that has seen him sit out more than half the Blues' matches in 2021/22.
But his influence was on full display Thursday as his energy and guile contributed to Chelsea's 1-1 draw at home to Leicester City that all but assures them of third place and with it automatic qualification to next season's Champions League group phase.
Chelsea boast a goal difference superiority of 18 on fourth-placed Tottenham, and manager Tuchel believes the job to seal third is effectively done and dusted.
Tuchel underlined Kante's influence, measuring his importance against the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool and Neymar and Kylian Mbappe for Paris Saint-Germain.
“I think he is our key, key, key player; but key, key, key players need to be on the pitch,” Tuchel said of Kante.
“He plays only 40 per cent of the games. So it’s maybe a miracle that we arrived in third place.
“Because he is our Mo Salah, he is our Van Dijk, he is our [Kevin] De Bruyne, he is simply that player.
“He is our Neymar, he is our Kylian Mbappe; he is the guy who makes the difference.
“And if you only have him 40 per cent it’s a huge problem.
“Given that percentage it’s maybe a miracle of how consistent we produce results and puts everything into perspective.
“Because I saw Liverpool without Van Dijk last season and they struggled, heavily. And you see the difference.
“So N’Golo is our key player, and he needs to be on the pitch.”
Asked if Chelsea can solve Kante’s physical issues, Tuchel continued: “I hope so. It’s hard to live with, because it’s important for him to be there and have the rhythm.
“I think he played OK, but he can play so much better.
“He can play so much better, but when was his last game that he started, it was weeks ago.
“So he constantly starts getting rhythm, then once he gets rhythm comes a little injury and he’s out again.
“Imagine last year, he was in the last five matches of Champions League man of the match.
“I mean they handed him the trophy before the match, because it was clear when he played he would be man of the match. It was like this.
“And this guy who gets man of the match in every Champions League game, he’s only here for 40-something per cent of the match.”
Chelsea v Leicester ratings
-
CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy 7 - The goal was really the only time the Senegalese was called into action and he couldn’t do anything about James Maddison’s pinpoint curling effort. Used the ball well. EPA -
Antonio Rudiger 6 - Indecision between himself and Alonso in the lead up to the equaliser and then didn’t get close enough to Maddison when he skipped past Silva and he attempted a half hearted block with his hands behind his back. Defended well thereafter and almost got on the scoresheet with a header in the second half. Reuters -
Thiago Silva 8 - Strolled through the game and, at times, looked like he was playing in his slippers he was so relaxed. Used his experience to read the game and snuff out most of Leicester’s attacks and his passing through the lines was precise. EPA -
Trevoh Chalobah 7 - Had a powerful shot from distance in the 10th minute that was destined for the top left hand corner untilf Schmeichel somehow threw himself the length of his goal to deny the Chelsea defender a rare goal. Reuters -
Marcos Alonso 7 - Baffling defending for Leicester’s goal when he seemed to stop and leave the ball for Rudiger before it made its way to Vardy and then to Maddison. He was forgiven when he lashed home Reece James’ chip to the back post 10 minutes from half time. AFP -
N’Golo Kante 7 - What you come to expect from the Frenchman. Good use of the ball and a pest out of possession. The catalyst in Chelsea’s engine room. EPA -
Jorginho 7 - Similar performance to his midfield partner without setting the game alight. Kept the ball ticking over and used it cleverly to switch Chelsea’s point of attack. His forwards need to have more of a cutting edge to build on the graft and craft of the Brazilian schemer. EPA -
Reece James 9 - The England full-back had the composure and ability to pick out Alonso, who didn’t have to break stride as he volleyed past Schmeichel for Chelsea’s equaliser. A sublime assist from the rampaging full-back. Man of the match. EPA -
Christian Puisic 5 - The US forward missed a sitter when, after great play between James and Kante, Lukaku put it on a plate for him with half-an-hour to go. Passed when he should’ve held onto possession and dribbled when he should’ve moved the ball on. Not a good night for the Chelsea forward. Hooked after his miss. AFP -
Romelu Lukaku 6 - Possibly took too much time when he received the ball on the right hand side of the Leicester box and allowed Amartey to make a vital block just as he got his shot away. Set up Pulisic for a certain goal in the second half only for the American to scuff his finish in front of an open goal. Too much of the Belgian’s good work is away from the opponents goal. EPA -
Hakim Ziyech 7 - The liveliest of Chelsea’s front three in the first half, the Morocco international was looking to cut in from the left and shoot on a couple of occasions. His best effort flashed past Schmeichel’s left hand post from 25 yards. EPA -
SUBS: Ruben Loftus-Cheek 5 - Replaced Kante after 71 minutes. Poor decision making at times and didn’t really make an impact. EPA -
Cesar Azpilicueta 6 - Replaced Pulisic with 20 mins to go and added some drive down the right hand side. AFP -
Kai Havertz replaced Lukaku with 12 minutes left. Looked lively, but will be remembered for a miss kick effort when Ziyech put him through on the angle with four minutes remaining. AP Photo -
LEICESTER RATINGS: Kasper Schmeichel 8 - Incredible save from Chalobah in the 10th minute when the big Dane dived full stretch to his left. Made other stops that you would expect him to make, but couldn’t do anything about Alonso’s expertly executed close range volley. AFP -
Daniel Amartey 7 - Made a timely recovery tackle just as Lukaku pulled the trigger after 16 minutes and dealt with most threats well. A solid performance from the Ghanaian defender. AFP -
Jonny Evans 8 - An impressive, composed, and controlled performance from the experienced Northern Irish defender who didn’t seem phased by Chelsea’s dominance.AFP -
Wesley Fofana 7 - Struggled to contain Ziyech during the early exchanges, but stuck to his task and grew into the game. AFP -
Timothy Castagne 6 - Didn’t offer much as an attacking threat, but defended well when called upon. AFP -
Nampalys Mendy - Blocked passing lanes and was instrumental in frustrating Chelsea as they looked to link with Lukaku. Good on second balls and making life difficult for the opposition. Getty Images -
James Maddison 8 - Scored his 17th goal of the season with Leicester’s first foray into the Chelsea half after being under early pressure. The attacking midfielder pounced on indecision between Alonso and Rudiger and picked up the loose ball, shifted it past Thiago Silva, brushed off the Brazilian defender and curled a wonderful shot past Mendy from the edge of the box. AFP -
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 7 - Worked hard to stifle Chelsea’s creativity and supply to Lukaku and didn’t stop running. Played his part in a well drilled midfield. Getty Images -
Luke Thomas 7 - Had a tough task dealing with the Chelsea attack attempting to overload that right hand side, with Reece James and Ziyech being two of Chelsea’s most dangerous players. The young wingback struggled in the early part, but grew into the game and defended well. AP Photo -
Jamie Vardy 6 - His pace was always going to keep the Chelsea defenders honest as Leicester tried to catch their hosts on the counter. Shackled for the most part by Chalobah, Rudiger and Silva. A frustrating evening for the Leicester forward. Reuters -
Kelechi Iheanacho 6 - Linked well with Maddison at times, but was also wasteful when he should’ve kept possession. Wasn’t much of a goal threat in a game where Leicester played on the counter. AFP -
SUBS: Harvey Barnes 5 - Replaced Iheanacho on 63 minutes and added a energy and drive to Leicester in the latter part of the game. Decision making could’ve been better at times when Leicester eventually won back possession and were trying to hold on. EPA -
Ayoze Perez - Replaced Jamie Vardy with 12 minutes left. Not enough time to make an impact. AFP
James Maddison lashed Leicester into an early lead at Chelsea, before Alonso volleyed home from Reece James’ fine angled cross.
“We were the better team and we deserved to win, but we did what was needed,” said Tuchel.
“We needed a point, we got a point, and didn’t allow any chances.
“But today is still the day where we secured third place.”
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers hailed goalscorer Maddison for emerging from tough times to produce a fine overall campaign.
“James really is a top player and he’s maturing with every game that he plays," Rodgers said.
“I thought he was our standout player with the ball, his aggression, his ability to take the ball in space.
“This is a young man that showed great courage and came to me when he said his confidence had taken a bit of a hit.
“We just built him up again, fundamentally helped him work hard on his game.
“And from that moment he’s worked his way back into the game, been consistent and defensively he’s been very good.
“He’s really, really improved, and he’s been our top player this season.”
