Chris Sutton has identified the only Chelsea player who can stop Real Madrid superstar Luka Modric when the two teams meet in the Champions League.
The Blues travel to Spain for the quarter-final first leg with Frank Lampard's side injured ahead of Wednesday's game.
Chelsea have struggled a lot in the domestic league this season but look stronger in Europe as they look to make it difficult for current starters.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has urged his side not to underestimate Chelsea as the Spaniard looks to lift the trophy in successive seasons.
Modric, 37, remains one of Real Madrid's most dangerous players but Sutton thinks having a Chelsea player can help keep him quiet. "Liverpool's midfield was overwhelmed by Real Madrid in the last round [and] Chelsea couldn't allow that to happen to them," Sutton told the Daily Mail.
'N'Golo Kante has been training before this first leg and it could be very important.
N'Golo Kanté in practice today. “đ pic.twitter.com/Cig1o2M67S
– Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 11, 2023
"Two years ago, when Chelsea beat Real Madrid in the semi-finals, Kante was the man of the match in both legs, and again in the final against Manchester City.
“Real are lucky to have great midfield options - Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. 'Kante will eagerly pinch their heels. It might have been a gamble to start him after injury, but he was the ultimate winner on the ball to thwart Modric and Co.'
Kante, 32, was absent from the squad on Saturday as Chelsea lost 1-0 to Wolves in the Premier League - in Lampard's first game at Stamford Bridge of his second term as manager member - leader after replacing Graham Potter was fired.
World Cup winner Kante has missed most of the season with a hamstring injury and has made just four appearances, none in the Champions League.
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Frank Lampard hails Real Madrid's 'consecutive winners' ahead of Champions League game
Some of the players who will feature in Wednesday night's Champions League quarter-final first leg between Real Madrid and Chelsea have experience winning this tournament.
Real Madrid lifted the trophy last season, while Chelsea won the previous season, beating Manchester City to claim their second Champions League title.
By comparison, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema have all won the tournament five times, most of them with Real Madrid. Ahead of Wednesday's clash, Chelsea interim head coach Frank Lampard took the opportunity to praise Los Blancos' 'consecutive winners', according to Relevo.
"I have great respect for Real Madrid. Their players have had such longevity, like Benzema, Modric and Kroos. They are serial winners and regularly win at this level. They are clearly the leaders of this team.
With La Liga out of mind, Real Madrid are determined to compete for the Champions League title, which will see them claim a remarkable 15th crown in the competition.
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