Chelsea forward Armando Broja appears set for a lengthy period on the sidelines after suffering a serious-looking knee injury in a friendly with Aston Villa.
The Blues have recently spent time in the Middle East for a warm-weather camp and a clash with fellow Premier League side Villa, which was scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
As a result of Chelsea's injury list and players participating at the World Cup, their starting lineup included six youngsters, making 21-year-old Broja as one of the more senior players in the team.
However, in a fixture where the Albania international would have been hoping to stake his claim for a regular spot in Graham Potter's starting lineup, his participation came to an end in the first half.
Wishing all the best to Armando Broja, who leaves the field on a stretcher after suffering an injury.
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 11, 2022
🟣 1-0 🔵 [24']
After chasing down Ezri Konsa in a bid to retrieve the ball close to the Villa goal, Broja collapsed to the floor, visibly in pain and holding his right knee.
Broja was subsequently stretchered off while still in distress, naturally creating concern that the remainder of his season may now be in jeopardy.
During the summer, Broja penned a new six-year contract at Stamford Bridge after Thomas Tuchel pushed to keep the player in his first-team squad.
Although Tuchel was sacked at the start of September, the academy graduate has continued to earn regular game time under Graham Potter.
© Reuters
Before the World Cup, Broja made three starts and 15 substitute outings in all competitions, his one goal coming against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
If, as expected, Broja will now spend a significant period on the sidelines, Potter will be left with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kai Havertz as his options down the middle of his attack.
That scenario may force the Englishman to consider bringing in a fresh face, particularly with Chelsea having scored just 17 goals in 14 games and sitting eight points adrift of the Champions League places.
While Chelsea have been heavily linked with RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku, it is highly unlikely that the Frenchman will arrive at Stamford Bridge before the summer at the earliest.
Darren Plant
