Frank Lampard: N'Golo Kante has been a huge miss for us this season

The Chelsea boss also feels that the French midfielder is one of the best players in the world.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has lamented the fact that his side were not able to make most use of N’Golo Kante this season due to the midfielder’s injury issues keeping him the sidelines for a few months.

Speaking to BT Sport about Kante’s absence this season, he said: “We had four or five of those (injured players) when we finished playing recently.

“N'Golo Kante is obviously a great example because he's played four or five incredible seasons in terms of his individual success and he's been used quite rightly by his managers a lot."

“This season he's played only about 40% of our games and even then it's been difficult for him and I've really felt for him on an individual level. He's been a huge miss for us,” Frank Lampard added.

However, the Blues' boss remains hopeful that he can make the most use of Kante after the season resumes, calling him as ‘one of the best players in the world’ in some high praises.

“We obviously need N'Golo Kante back in our team, one of the best players in the world. I knew that before I became manager of Chelsea and know that now from working with him," Frank Lampard quipped.

“I haven't been able to have him much this year and going forward we, of course, want him fit and raring to go.”

Kante has been a pivotal part of Chelsea’s midfield ever since arriving from Leicester City in 2016, after which he’s been a crucial role in the Blues’ Premier League campaign win that season and Europa League success last season as well.

The Frenchman has gained a reputation for having ‘three lungs’ due to his insane energy levels, with the midfielder almost making up enough ground for three players and making things easier with his tenacious, tough-tackling nature in midfield.

However, Kante has struggled with injuries this season after barely missing any games over the past few seasons. He’s suffered a few muscle injuries and an ankle knock which saw him miss a flurry of games, with the Frenchman only having made 22 appearances in all competition for Chelsea, scoring 3 goals at that as well.