N’Golo Kante holds key for Chelsea to stop Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, says Frank Lampard

[img]N’Golo Kante holds the key for Chelsea to stop Lionel Messi during their Champions League showdown with Barcelona.

That is the opinion of Frank Lampard, who says Kante, a former Premier League Player of the Year, is ‘the one’ Chelsea midfielder who has the ability to trouble Messi.

The Argentine superstar is enjoying yet another sensational season for club and country – scoring 30 goals in 41 games – and will hope to break his drought against Chelsea in the first leg of the last-16 clash at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening.[/img]

N’Golo Kante holds the key for Chelsea to stop Lionel Messi during their Champions League showdown with Barcelona.

That is the opinion of Frank Lampard, who says Kante, a former Premier League Player of the Year, is ‘the one’ Chelsea midfielder who has the ability to trouble Messi.

The Argentine superstar is enjoying yet another sensational season for club and country – scoring 30 goals in 41 games – and will hope to break his drought against Chelsea in the first leg of the last-16 clash at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening.

Lampard rates Messi, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, as the greatest player of all time and admits his former club will need luck to stop him in his tracks.

He told the Evening Standard: ‘Whoever is nearest to him has to take the responsibility to take that space because the minute you let him get his head up and run freely at you, you won’t get near him. I can say that from experience.

‘There will be periods when you just have to back off. The problem is that being at home, there will be people wanting to see Chelsea have a bit of a go at them.

‘But their players are that good, you have to back off to deny them the space where they can really hurt you.

‘It is a fine line for Chelsea. They need to sit back but at the same time put pressure on him so he doesn’t become relaxed on the ball.

‘This is where I think N’Golo Kante will be key. He is the one in Chelsea’s midfield with the abilities you need because he is so quick into the tackle.

‘But it is important all 11 press their opponents, starting with those players at the top of the pitch.’

Frank Lampard names the only Chelsea star who can stop Lionel Messi

http://sportseries.net/football/ngolo-kante-holds-key-for-chelsea-to-stop-barcelona-superstar-lionel-messi-says-frank-lampard/

Chelsea prepare for Barcelona clash but what is David Luiz doing to Tiemoue Bakayoko?

Bakayoko hasn’t featured for the Blues since being sent off in their shocking 4-1 defeat to Watford at the beginning of February.

And after picking up a knock in training, the Frenchman is sidelined for the visit of Barcelona this evening.

Both he and David Luiz missed the final training session and are unlikely to feature tonight.

However, Antonio Conte has confirmed Marcos Alonso has recovered enough to feature against the Catalans but Ross Barkley remains a doubt although he did train with his team-mates this week.

“I don’t think Bakayoko is available for the game against Barcelona. Alonso is ready to play,” Conte said.

But as Bakayoko battles to regain full fitness, he had some help in the Blues treatment room.

The midfielder posted a video to his Instagram story of Luiz giving him a massage.

And while Luiz is keen to help his team-mate return to the pitch, some fans are content for Bakayoko not to be in Conte’s starting XI.

“Bakayoko is injured…He won’t play Barcelona match What a great news,” one fan wrote on Twitter after Conte revealed his latest injury news.

Another said: “Thank God we won’t have to watch bakayoko ruin us against Barca, out injured.”


http://sportseries.net/football/chelsea-prepare-for-barcelona-clash-but-what-is-david-luiz-doing-to-tiemoue-bakayoko/

Barcelona in crisis ahead of Chelsea showdown because of Manchester United


Barcelona are currently in the capital ahead of tonight’s Champions League game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Catalan giants are currently on course for a third treble in nine years and victory tonight should be enough to see them through, with Chelsea likely to face a huge fight in the return leg at the Nou Camp.

But Spanish website Don Balon say Barcelona are in crisis ahead of the showdown amid fears Umtiti may join Manchester United at the end of the season.

The France international is regarded as one of the best centre-backs in La Liga.

And with United struggling at the back, his arrival would no doubt be welcomed by Red Devils fans.

Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are all facing uncertain futures at Old Trafford.

Rojo has emerged as a top target for PSG, while Smalling and Jones are likely to pay the price for their average displays in recent weeks.

There are also concerns about Victor Lindelof, who has struggled for form since arriving from Benfica back in the summer.

And Don Balon say United are well-placed to sign Umtiti.

The defender has a £54million release clause and is yet to sign a new contract with Barcelona.

The 24-year-old supposedly wants a new contract worth over £7million a year to commit his future to the Catalan club.

Yet if they refuse to dance to his tune, then Umtiti shall join United.

Barcelona could do without talk over their defensive rock leaving with the Chelsea match creeping closer.

But the fact Jose Mourinho’s side are the source of Barca’s unhappiness will not be lost on Blues boss Antonio Conte.

http://sportseries.net/football/barcelona-in-crisis-ahead-of-chelsea-showdown-because-of-manchester-united/

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