Soccer-Chelsea's Kante and Pulisic to miss Zenit clash, says Tuchel

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - European Super Cup - Chelsea v Villarreal - Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland - August 11, 2021 Chelsea's N'Golo Kante during the warm up before the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff/File photo

(Reuters) - Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante will not be involved in the club's Champions League opener against Zenit St Petersburg, manager Thomas Tuchel said on Monday ahead of their Group H clash against the Russian side.

Kante has been struggling with an ankle injury this season, and was substituted at halftime against Liverpool before the international break when the problem flared up again and he subsequently missed France's World Cup qualifiers.