'He has to be playing': Ian Wright names the player Chelsea must start in CL final

Ian Wright sent a caution to Chelsea about facing Manchester City in the Champions League final without N’Golo Kante.

Speaking on Premier League Productions, Wright was analysing the Blues Premier League win over Leicester City last night.

Antonio Rudiger’s tap in and Jorginho’s ice cool penalty ensured Thomas Tuchel’s team earned revenge from their FA Cup final loss.

It also meant Chelsea leapfrogged Leicester into third place and boosted their bid for European football next season.

However, the result was not without its faults.

Having dominated the game for 75 minutes, the Blues gifted Kelechi Iheanacho a goal after they overplayed in their own half.

Kante coming off injured just shy of the half hour mark will also be a concern ahead of the Champions League clash with City in ten days’ time.

Wright felt a combination of the Frenchman’s potential absence and Chelsea’s mistakes could cost them against Pep Guardiola’s juggernauts.

“You see the way they’ve given that goal away,” said the former Arsenal striker.

“That is something that City will see. When he (Mateo Kovacic) got that ball there – they were determined to play – he hardly had any options.

“I think that if they are going to play like that, then they are going to be in trouble against City.

“Especially without Kante. We don’t know what’s happening with Kante. That’s something that’s massive as well. He has to be playing.

“That was a worry. They were very comfortable in the game and then they gave them that opportunity.”

Tuchel explained in his post-match press conference that Kante had felt something in his hamstring and didn’t want to risk enflaming it.

The Chelsea manager also hoped his midfielder would be fit for Sunday’s big tie away to Aston Villa.

That trip to Villa Park is arguably more important than the European showdown with Manchester City.

Defeat Dean Smith’s side and the Blues will have cemented their top four place.

Then they can enter the Champions League finale without the added pressure of needing to win to qualify for the competition.

‘He has to be playing’: Ian Wright names the player Chelsea must start in CL final