The hectic schedule of the Premier League season has not yet returned and already Chelsea have been with another injury blow in a 2022/23 that has seemed full of them. The Blues were cautious in their friendly against Aston Villa and did not even start Trevoh Chalobah after he was originally named in the starting XI due to an issue.
Fortunately, Chalobah is expected to be fine, but the Blues did not make their way through the game unscathed. Armando Broja was forced off after going down on 19 minutes and required a stretcher to leave the field.
The striker has since undergone a scan that has shown he has torn his anterior cruciate ligament and is set to be ruled out until at least the end of the season, in a bitter blow to Graham Potter's mid-season preparations.
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Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali were in attendance for the game and likely left under no illusion that they may have to consider the addition of another striker in January, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the only true forward at the club. Though, Kai Havertz has of course been utilised to lead the line previously.
However, Broja's absence will have a more immediate influence with the current squad. football.london takes a look at the players that could be impacted.
Kai Havertz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - While Broja has not been a regular starter, he has maintained a regular influence in Chelsea matches on his way to 18 appearances this term. The striker has brought plenty of energy in his appearances but now the workload will fall entirely on Aubameyang and Havertz, who themselves have failed to cement a place on Potter's team sheet.
A new signing notwithstanding, Aubameyang will retain the burden of bringing goals to Stamford Bridge and may be relied upon to spend more time on the pitch having yet to complete 90 minutes for the Blues. For Havertz, the German forward has struggled to find a regular position in Potter's side and this blow may see the 23-year-old return more exclusively to a role leading the line.
Hakim Ziyech - The Morocco international is enjoying a fantastic run in the world cup and looks freed from constraints of club football. The former Ajax winger has once again become a crucial fixture for a team and has looked productive on both sides of play.
That may have come too late to salvage his Chelsea career, with Ziyech having hoped for a move in the summer. However Broja's absence will nudge him up the pecking order in Potter's plans, potentially adding to the money required to prise Ziyech away from Stamford Bridge for any interested parties.
Omari Hutchinson - The young winger found himself elevated to two Premier League first team squads before the break but did not feature against Brighton or Newcastle. His inclusion was aided by injuries to the likes of Carney Chukwuemeka and others that limited Chelsea's numbers and many of those players are returning, but the absence of forward-thinking player could keep Hutchinson in Potter's mind. The 19-year-old impressed in Abu Dhabi and will hope to earn more chances before the month is out.
Carney Chukwuemeka - The former Aston Villa ace was just beginning to navigate his way into some first team minutes before an untimely injury slowed his progress. The youngster is still working through his rehabilitation but Broja should see him move a slot up the pecking order.
Chukwuemeka impressed against Brentford in an attacking role off the striker and was able to attack the box on multiple occasions. With Chelsea looking to attack with a front three, the midfielder may find himself utilised in such a role once again given where Broja is relied upon
Christian Pulisic - The American found himself in a similar position to Ziyech to start the season but has spoken highly of Potter and has had the opportunity to start for the Blues still. Broja's absence combined with his earlier return from the World Cup in comparison to the the likes of Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling puts him in firm content for the starting XI for the resumption of the Premier League. Perhaps could even find himself utilised to lead the line on occasion.
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