Armando Broja: Chelsea striker to miss rest of season after injury

After rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a friendly match against Aston Villa on Sunday, Chelsea forward Armando Broja is anticipated to miss the remainder of the season.

Broja, who played for Southampton on loan during the 2021–22 season, has made 18 appearances for Chelsea this year and scored his first goal for the club in the Premier League victory over Wolves in October.

In order to get his team up to speed before the start of the Premier League later this month, Graham Potter selected the Albanian international to lead the line against Villa in Abu Dhabi.

Broja, who appeared to catch his studs in the ground and fell awkwardly, was eventually carried off the field while clutching his left knee.

A Blues statement read: “Having sustained a knee injury during the first half of Sunday’s friendly against Aston Villa, Armando underwent further assessment following the club’s return to England.

“Scan results from those assessments 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.”

The young Chelsea team lost 1-0 to Unai Emery’s team after John McGinn scored the game’s only goal after seven minutes.

On December 27, Chelsea will face Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge to start their Premier League campaign again after falling to eighth place in the standings due to a poor stretch before the World Cup.