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Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has suggested star midfielder N'Golo Kante's recent drop in form could be down to the player fasting for Ramadan.

Kante is a practising Muslim and is currently observing Ramadan, which means he cannot eat or drink during daylight hours from April 1 to May 1.

The Frenchman, a key part of Tuchel's side, was substituted at half-time for the first time in his career during Chelsea's 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday - a decision which left some pundits shocked.

Tuchel later confirmed he had taken Kante off at the break for tactical reasons after the midfielder had struggled in the opening 45 minutes.