Joe Cole believes N’Golo Kante is Chelsea’s most important player but even if he’s injured the London club can cope without him.
The Blues take on Watford this evening looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League and Tuchel made six changes to the starting lineup that drew with Manchester United last time out.
Christensen, Christian Pulisic, Saul Niguez, Mason Mount, Cesar Azpilicueta and Kai Havertz all started the game while Jorginho, Timo Werner and Thiago Silva are among those dropped to the bench.
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Also, Reece James was not involved as Romelu Lukaku again started as a substitute.
Kante missed the clash with United on Sunday after suffering a knee injury in last week’s Champions League win over Juventus and could not make the trip to Vicarage Road.
While former Chelsea player Cole says the Frenchman’s absence will be missed, he doesn’t feel that Tuchel’s system suffers as a result.
‘What I would say about this squad is with Thomas Tuchel, whoever he plays in any position, the level doesn’t go down,’ Cole said on Amazon Prime.
‘Even the great Chelsea sides of the last 20 years, my side included, when certain players are out our level dropped. ‘Not everyone but we had a spine of the team.
‘This team, even without N’Golo Kante who is in my opinion the most important player, when he’s out the team Loftus-Cheek came in, Saul tonight, and the level doesn’t drop.
‘The system is so efficient. They might not be the best side but they are certainly the most consistent side.’
