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N’Golo Kante relishes return to training as Chelsea midfielder eyes Premier League return against Bournemouth

Blues boss Antonio Conte says the PFA player of the year is "making good progress" - and the Frenchman looked in fine shape as he went through his paces with the squad today

N'GOLO KANTE looks hungrier than ever after returning from injury,

The Chelsea midfielder is back in training and eyeing a squad place for Saturday's Premier League game at Bournemouth.

 Midfielder N'Golo Kante was in full training with Chelsea at Cobham today
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Midfielder N'Golo Kante was in full training with Chelsea at Cobham todayCredit: JIM BENNETT

The France star is hoping to better his stunning past two seasons by winning the World Cup in Russia next summer.

Kante was arguably the main man in two successive title triumphs, for Leicester two terms ago and Chelsea last season.

So his smooth and determined comeback after pulling his hamstring in a World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria on October 7 should be no surprise.

That is because no-one in the modern era has transformed their career so successfully in their mid-20s as Kante, the PFA's current player of the year.

 Chelsea have welcomed key midfielder N'Golo Kante back to full training this week
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Chelsea have welcomed key midfielder N'Golo Kante back to full training this weekCredit: JIM BENNETT
 Frenchman N'Golo Kante was the PFA player of the year when Chelsea won the title last term
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Frenchman N'Golo Kante was the PFA player of the year when Chelsea won the title last termCredit: JIM BENNETT

The 26-year-old seemed to have done everything Blues manager Antonio Conte could have hoped for in training at Cobham today.

And Conte said: "Kante is progressing well. I’m very happy. I saw him in a good physical condition.


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"For sure in this moment, we have to keep calm and find the right moment to utilise him and put him in the team.

"Now it will be very easy to tell him play..  we must pay attention to find the best solution for him. He’s great."

Last weekend's 4-2 home win over Watford failed to paper over all the failings of a wobbly start for fourth-placed Chelsea this term.

They are already nine points behind leaders Manchester City and four adrift of both Manchester United and Tottenham.

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And Kante's anchor-man solidity and mobility make him one of the few automatic starters for Conte - when fully fit.

But fellow ex-Foxes midfielder Danny Drinkwater has had a far more frustrating time at Stamford Bridge since his deadline-day switch.

Nonetheless, the England hopeful hopes to return in the next fortnight after a calf injury that has kept the 27-year-old out since mid-September.

 Chelsea will surely be much more solid once N'Golo Kante returns to their midfield
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Chelsea will surely be much more solid once N'Golo Kante returns to their midfieldCredit: JIM BENNETT
Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata goes out for a meal and thanks people for their birthday wishes in three languages
 N'Golo Kante has been out since suffering a hamstring injury with France early this month
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N'Golo Kante has been out since suffering a hamstring injury with France early this monthCredit: AFP or licensors
 N'Golo Kante offers energy, mobility, tough tackling and safe passing in the middle of the pitch for Chelsea
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N'Golo Kante offers energy, mobility, tough tackling and safe passing in the middle of the pitch for ChelseaCredit: Getty Images - Getty


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