Thomas Tuchel confirmed that N’Golo Kante fasted every day during the Ramadan and according to him this might explain the recent drop in form of the French midfielder. The German boss also suggested that the Blues have been less consistent this season due to the Frenchman’s absences through injury.
Kanté was substituted at half-time for the first time in his career on Wednesday night in the 3-1 defeat of Chelsea v Real Madrid in the quarter-final first leg Champions League.
Tuchel insisted it was a tactical decision following the game, but the Frenchman underperformed. This has happened to him often since the start of the current campaign, especially since he has faced a series of physical glitches following recovering from Covid-19.
Tuchel worries regarding Kanté
Tuchel also believes a lack of food might be a reason for Kanté’s inconstancy. The latter has been observing days of fasting since April 1. As a practicing Muslim, he refrains from eating and drinking during the day until the end of Ramadan on May 1.
Asked if the demands of top-flight football are catching up with Kante now that he is 31, Tuchel replied in a press conference: “I honestly can’t answer the question (if football is catching up with him). One thing is very clear, N’Golo is a key player with exceptional qualities, unique qualities. For other teams, it may be strikers or centre-backs. For us, he’s N’Golo, a unique player who can give the team something that no one else can. He is struggling this season to be consistent because of injuries and illnesses. This is also a reason for our lack of regularity. We’ve missed him for too many matches, if you look at the minutes he’s available he can play.”
“Right now he is fasting because of his religion, his faith. Maybe another reason. It’s not the first time he’s done it, but if you don’t eat during the day for several days, it can have an effect, added the German. He’s used to that, but maybe that’s part of why we felt like he wasn’t at his best, if you compare his influence in the last game once morest Real Madrid.”
Tuchel nevertheless encouraged his protege, and assured that he had nothing to reproach him for: “There is nothing to be ashamed of or feel sorry for either. We try to push him, to help him because we know what we have when he is on the pitch. »
How the Premier League does it help muslim players?
Kante will be on the attack once more for the Chelsea match at Southampton Saturday, but he will play on an empty stomach if he is lined up
Muslims are only allowed to break their fast between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Englandand the Premier League made concessions for some of the players observing Ramadan last season.
During a meeting between Leicester City et Crystal Palace to King Power Stadiuma break in play was granted so that Wesley Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyate can break their fast, with an unspoken rule in place to allow team captains to request short breaks before goal kicks or throw-ins.
This season it has once more been agreed that captains can request similar breaks in their pre-match meetings with the referees, but only nine of the 52 Premier League matches taking place during Ramadan are scheduled to start following 7:30 p.m. .
Note that elsewhere in Europe, there is no such protocol. That said, not all Muslim players are impacted. There are even some that perform very well during this period. This was particularly the case with Karim Benzema. When he scored his hat-trick once morest the Blues last Wednesday, the Frenchman only had a date in his stomach. Information that Tuchel certainly did not know.
