Chelsea News: Graham Potter issues Armando Broja injury update
Chelsea striker Armando Broja was stretchered off in the friendly against Aston Villa earlier on December 11th. The Blues boss Graham Potter has admitted that it’s not a positive sight at first glance of the injury.
Chelsea finished the first half of their season with four defeats in five matches, a horrific run that also saw them crash out of the League Cup third round.
They travelled to Abu Dhabi for a hot weather training camp before resuming their competitive fixtures, and just when it all seemed to be falling back in place for Potter and his management team, the Blues have now lost one of their key attackers.
A young side lost 1-0 to Aston Villa in the friendly, with Broja colliding with Ezri Konsa and screeching in pain as soon as he hit the floor. He was taken off on a stretcher, and Chelsea, after initial scans, feared the worst.
After consulting with various medical authorities, Chelsea confirmed on Wednesday that the 21 year old had indeed suffered an ACL tear and will miss the remainder of the season.
A club statement indicated that “Scan results … have unfortunately confirmed an anterior cruciate ligament rupture and that surgery will be required.
“Following the operation, Armando will work closely with the club’s medical department during his rehabilitation and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign.”
Broja has made 10 appearances off the bench for Chelsea this season providing a goal and an assist to his credit.
With Potter’s side already struggling in front of the goal, Broja’s pace and physicality will be missed if he is sidelined for a longer frame of time. He joins N’Golo Kante, Carney Chukwuemeka, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in an already packed injury room.
Speaking after the defeat, Potter revealed “It was just an unfortunate action. He got caught up with their player and the ground.”
This leaves Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the only out-and-out centre-forward. Kai Havertz is another who could lead the line, but Chelsea are seriously short of options.
It now means they may have to look for strikers in the market during the winter transfer window.
Chelsea face-off against AFC Bournemouth when the Premier League returns, on December 27th at Stamford Bridge. They’re currently 16 points off bitter rivals Arsenal, and are sitting eighth on the table.
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Ajax. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.