N’Golo Kante rescued Chelsea as Blues continue to create few expected goals

N’Golo Kante scored his first Chelsea goal against an opponent other than Manchester United. His winner against Leicester City came because he did something his teammates were reluctant to do: shoot.

Few things in Premier League football are as terrifying as N’Golo Kante’s long-range goals. Yes, they are few and far between. But each time they raise the prospect that they will become a regular addition to his repertoire, which would give him control of the entire length of the pitch.

Kante scored against his former club precisely because they did not expect him to shoot. The midfield did not close him down when he received the ball from Antonio Rudiger. Leicester held their lines, assuming Chelsea would make at least two more passes before attempting a shot.

Instead, Kante sized up the gap between himself and the crowded defensive line at the edge of the area. He saw them potentially screening Kaspar Schmeichel and aimed a low shot to the far corner.

The shot pretty well caught all 20 players on the pitch and the entire capacity of King Power stadium off-guard. Leicester’s assumption was much more defensible than Schmeichel’s futile dive. Not only does Kante rarely shoot, but Chelsea as a whole were reluctant to let loose throughout the game.

The Blues repeatedly had the ball deep in Leicester territory, and they would do everything but take aim at Schmeichel. Pedro was among the worst offenders, holding on to the ball near the touchline until a swarm of Foxes dispossessed him. Cesc Fabregas, when he would take himself out of his best position by advancing up to the wing, was another offensive sink. When he was central and behind the forwards, he was Fabregas the playmaker. Up on the left, he was Fabregas the turnover waiting to happen.

Over their three wins this season Chelsea are not making the most of their possession to create scoring opportunities. The Blues held 60% against Leicester, their most since the opening day debacle against Burnley. They took 16 shots, of which six were on target and only two of those came from the box.

As a result, Chelsea’s expected goals against Leicester was a pitiful .66. So far this season Chelsea’s highest xG is 1.43, coming against Burnley in a game (a) they lost, and (b) finished with nine men on the pitch. Before the international break Chelsea did slightly better against Everton: 1.31 expected goals from 18 shots on 57% possession.

A goal from N’Golo Kante is almost the definition of an unexpected goal. Whether he just wanted to try a cracker or he knew how unprepared his former team was for the shot, he gave Chelsea the win by playing against his and his team’s usual pattern.

Next: Chelsea to benefit yet again from healthy competition between Pedro and Willian

Chelsea need to do more with their possession to create quality chances. Eden Hazard will return to the starting XI soon, and Alvaro Morata is proving to be one of the Premier League’s most clinical front men. These two should boost Chelsea’s expected goal and actual goal count to the necessary level.