Kante insists Chelsea are not motivated by revenge
N’GOLO Kante insists Chelsea are solely focused on a topfour Premier League finish and not revenge against Manchester United.
United thrashed the Blues 4-0 on the season’s opening day at Old Trafford on August 11, Marcus Rashford firing a double and Anthony Martial and Daniel James also on target.
Chelsea might have endured the worst possible start to life under new boss and former midfielder Frank Lampard, but the west London men have since secured themselves a solid hold on fourth place.
The Blues host United in the league return tonight and could even open up a nine-point gap on the Red Devils with victory — but France star Kante insists only Champions League qualification is on Chelsea’s minds.
“Man United were a bit behind but now they have closed the gap so it’s a big opportunity either for us to keep them behind or for them to close the gap more; it’s an important game for both teams,” said Kante.
“We all know that Man United at home is a very difficult game, especially after what happened in the first game but we don’t look at this. We just look forward because we want to keep the gap and so that’s why we need to win, not to get revenge.
“It’s important for us and the fans so we need them to keep supporting us as they always do and we will try to give our best to make them proud.”
Blues boss Lampard has handed a clutch of youngsters their first-team breakthrough in his first season at the Stamford Bridge helm.
But Kante has revealed the former England star is also making his impression felt on Chelsea’s senior players too.
“He was here for a long time as a player and won many trophies but now he is back with the status as manager of Chelsea,” Kante added.
“We know all about him as a player so when he speaks about my position as a midfielder, to go forward and get the balance in the team, you listen to him.
“He has good ideas, he wants to play the young players and the older players together to get our target to be in the Champions League.
“Frank knows how to bring the players to their best and we have time to get what we want from this season.”
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has, meanwhile, called on his misfiring players to beat Chelsea and reignite their Premier League top-four ambitions.
After claiming just one point from a possible nine, United have slipped to ninth in the table, six points behind Lampard’s side, ahead of this evening’s encounter.
“A win gives us a three-point gap and, of course, that’s what we’ve got to aim for,” said Solskjaer.
“We’ve played them twice already this season and done well, but Chelsea are a good team. They are at home, but we’re going to go there to try to win the game.
“We’ve got to, to give us more belief and more hope and give us confidence that we can kick on, because we need to kick on.”
Following a disappointing 0-0 draw with Wolves before the winter break, United sit on 35 points after 25 matches, 41 behind runaway leaders Liverpool, and on course to score a lower tally than their previous worst of 64 in 2014.
But Solskjaer, whose position as United boss is under intense scrutiny, hopes his side’s mid-season break to Marbella will allow them to kick on in the run-in.
He added: “It is beneficial for absolutely everyone in the squad, individually, and the team. The league will also see a benefit from it.
“I think the quality of the football will improve, because December and January were relentless for us, so it is a good move by the authorities to give that weekend because at Man United you never get a space of two weeks without a game really.
“It’s just up to the boys to show that freshness that they’ve shown me this week.”