Why Chelsea's N'Golo Kante has left the France squad ahead of Croatia Nations League clash

N'Golo Kante has left France's team due to a knee injury sustained ahead of France's final international match against Croatia. The 31-year-old hasn't played in either of his country's past two matches due to knee problems.

Kante played 90 minutes in France's Nations League opener against Denmark, but was absent from the squad for the draws against Croatia and Austria. On Monday, Didier Deschamp's squad will meet Croatia once more, but this time without Kante and Lucas Hernandez.

The French Football Federation issued the following statement: "N'Golo Kanté (our photo) departed the demonstration on Saturday morning, embarassed by knee pain. Chelsea player Eden Hazard would have been unable to participate against Croatia at the Stade de France on Monday."

Kante missed four Premier League matches and a Champions League outing against Zenit Saint Petersburg earlier this season with a knee issue and has struggled to maintain full fitness over the course of 2021/22 after a hectic season helping Chelsea lift the Champions League before heading to EURO 2020. The Frenchman struggled to find his best form leaving some frustration for Thomas Tuchel because he could not use his 'key player' more frequently.

Following Chelsea's match against Leicester, Tuchel said: "It's important for him to be there and to have the rhythm. I think he played ok, but he can play so much better. But when was his last game he started? It was weeks ago. So he constantly starts getting the rhythm, but once he has that, comes a little injury, and he's out again.