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Why immoderate World Cup contenders mightiness not instrumentality a afloat 26-man squad (0:58)
Gab & Juls respond to Didier Deschamps' comments astir it being easier to triumph the World Cup with a 23-man squad. (0:58)
1:41 PM ET
Julien LaurensCorrespondent
France midfielder N'Golo Kante has been ruled retired for 3 months pursuing an wounded setback and volition miss the World Cup successful Qatar, sources person told ESPN.
The Chelsea midfielder is suffering from a superior hamstring wounded and the quality is simply a important stroke for France manager Didier Deschamps fixed the relation the 31-year-old played successful his country's 2018 World Cup triumph.
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Kante's lack is besides atrocious quality for Chelsea brag Graham Potter, whose broadside volition beryllium without the midfielder until mid-January, sources person said.
Kante has already missed astir of the play aft being substituted owed to wounded 84 minutes into his side's 2-2 gully with Tottenham Hotspur successful August.
In a quality league earlier connected Friday, Potter said Kante was owed to spot a advisor this play aft his latest setback.
"It's a setback truthful it's not bully quality but, thing different than that astatine this stage, I can't springiness you thing more," Potter said.
"Historically determination are things which person happened which is simply a concern, truthful we request to get to the bottommost of that.
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"It's a setback astatine this signifier of this rehab which is worrying, but each we tin bash is get the close diagnosis, get the close consultation, and effort and assistance him get backmost to afloat fittingness and enjoying his football."
He has played 262 times for Chelsea since signing from Leicester City successful 2016 but has been injured for ample spells during his clip successful westbound London.
Deschamps is besides sweating implicit the fittingness of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, who is dilatory recovering from genu surgery.
That means France could commencement their World Cup defence against Australia connected Nov. 21 without 2 cardinal midfielders who helped them triumph the tourney 4 years ago.
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