‘FRANCE TO BLAME FOR UNFIT KANTE’

FRANK LAMPARD last night tore into France coach Didier Deschamps for his treatment of midfielder N’golo Kante.

Kante was left out of France’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Iceland last Friday after sustaining a groin problem in the warm-up.

But the Chelsea star (above), who has had injury problems this season, was then made to sit on the bench against Turkey on Monday instead of returning home for treatment.

The midfielder, 28, is now definitely out of today’s game against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge. A fuming Lampard said: “N’golo’s not fit, he had a small groin issue in the warm-up to the first international game for France.

“We didn’t get him back until after the second game – and now he’s not fit.

“Before the international break, Deschamps mentioned about Olivier Giroud not getting games. That was lighthearted, but the Kante one is not a laughing matter.

“When he pulled out of the first game last week, he had a fitness test before the second game, and it was clear he couldn’t play. But he then sat on the bench.

“Our doctors were speaking with the French and things weren’t coming back to us when I would expect – that’s what I mean about communication.

“We got a player back later. We would have wanted him back to work on him. We have to think about the long-term and the care of the player.”

But Lampard had words of sympathy for Christian Pulisic, who was hauled off in the USA’S shock 2-0 defeat by Canada and seen in tears on the bench.

Pulisic has struggled to break into Lampard’s team this season and the

Blues boss (above) added: “Christian has come to us in a big move, he’s just turned 21, and we’ve got a competitive squad.

“I always have a problem who to pick. You come to Chelsea and the demands are huge. I see the big picture with Christian.”