Chelsea are set to learn the extent of Armando Broja's injury this week after he picked up a knee injury in a mid-season friendly versus Aston Villa. The 20-year-old striker screamed in pain following a collision with Ezri Konsa and he was subsequently stretchered off the field of play.
He looked to be in great pain and was seen to be clutching his leg as he was tended to by medical staff. The Albania international has no history of knee injuries and, as the Blues prepare for the Premier League's return, his injury comes as a major blow.
In Broja's absence, Chelsea went on to lose 1-0 to Unai Emery's side in Abu Dhabi. The youngster joins a growing list of injured players unavailable to Graham Potter, including N'Golo Kante, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell.
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Upon the west Londoners' return from the United Arab Emirates, Broja will be able to undergo the necessary tests and scans to learn the severity of his knock. According to the Chelsea boss, the initial signs do not look promising.
Speaking to the club's in-house media team after the defeat to Villa, Potter admitted concern over Broja's 'awkward' knock.
He said: "It was an unfortunate action, I think he got caught up with their player and the ground. It doesn’t look positive at the moment, but it is too early to say. Fingers crossed, but it is an awkward one."
Broja's injury raises questions ahead of the January transfer window, with the striker once heavily linked to an exit from the club. While the severity of the Albanian's injury remains to be seen, a move could now be off the cards.
Prior to the Cobham graduate's knock, French outlet Jeunes Footeux reported that Potter is in the market for a striker this January. As it stands, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang is the club's only senior option to lead the line, with Kai Havertz taking up more of a false-nine role.
Chelsea have been heavily linked with several No.9's this season. The latest candidate reportedly on the Blues' shopping list is Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leao and Christopher Nkunku have also been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge but Potter's stance on proceedings remains to be seen.
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