Chelsea at Leeds United: Four things to look for at Elland Road

4. The implications of N’Golo Kante’s latest injury

Now for the biggest question of them all: how will Chelsea cope with a perpetually ailing midfielder in N’Golo Kante? The Frenchman was showing his incredible form this season prior to suffering an injury in the second half of the Spurs match. The Blues now find themselves in the unenviable position of trying to replace Kante’s output for at least the next month.

Admittedly, this is the continuation of a story that continues to write itself. Kante—despite his elite technical skill—is as unreliable as any cliche you can muster (looking at you, Cleveland Browns). It would be wonderful to believe that this is an anomalous circumstance that will resolve itself through rehab and training, but realistic supporters will know that this is another in a long line of injuries that will require the club to expedite its Kante succession plan.

For Tuchel, the time for planning is expired.

The Blues will head into this match hoping that the next crop of midfield talent is ready to pick up the slack. They have options, of course. Conor Gallagher looks primed and ready to step into the role of a box-to-box playmaker. Gallagher oozes energy and unrefined talent, as well as a knack for regaining possession and progressing the ball forward. His limitless potential is tantalizing for Premier League spectators and the Cobham faithful alike, all of whom will tell you Gallagher has been waiting for this moment.

On the other hand, many would argue that Mount might be the heir apparent for this role, despite a cemented position on the right wing. Mount’s work rate and IQ make him a very interesting fit in this pivot, mostly because Tuchel has been keen to allow Kante some autonomy in taking risks. Mount may fit perfectly into this role and he would likely provide more electric playmaking, but he would also come with the cost of sacrificing some of the aspects of the defensive system.

Regardless of your position on who fits the role best, the clear thing to focus on here is that a future without Kante has wide-ranging implications for the squad in the present and in the future.

When considering the match-up against Leeds, this may be an opportunity for the club to experiment a bit. The fluid structure and ability to press an opponent who is susceptible to mistakes will allow Tuchel to take liberties that likely will see Gallagher and Mount rotate positions during free-flowing play.

There is a possibility that we see a performance that brings immediate calm. There is also a possibility that we see a slightly altered formation to maximize what both players bring to the forefront. There is, of course, the possibility that we swirl down an infinite vortex of doom and never see another victory. No matter where we end up, this will undoubtedly be one of the most important things to watch for this week!

What are some of the things you’ll be looking for in the match at Elland Road? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!