by Chelsea injuries continue as Armando Broja goes on a stretcher in mid-season friendly loss to Aston Villa in Abu Dhabi… with Graham Potter now very light on striking options ahead of January transfer window
- Armando Broja suffered a nasty injury in Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa
- The two Premier League sides met for a mid-World Cup friendly in Abu Dhabi
- Midfielder John McGinn scored the game’s only goal in the seventh minute
- Omari Hutchinson impressed by shaking the post midway through the first half
- Graham Potter has a lot to cook up in attack with Broja expected to be out long term
Graham Potter was dealt a major blow in Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, as Armando Broja was carried on a stretcher with an expected knee injury.
The striker cried out in pain as he collided with Ezri Konsa midway through the first half, instantly squeezing his right knee.
Broja was sent for scans to seek a diagnosis but it is feared to be an anterior cruciate ligament injury by the player’s initial reaction.
Armando Broja picked up a nasty injury in Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on Sunday
It’s a blow to boss Graham Potter who already has a shortage of forwards at his disposal
A tear in the ACL would likely see Broja out of action until the end of the Premier League season.
Potter, who has limited attacking options beyond summer addition Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, may feel compelled to seek a new striker in January as a result.
Chelsea fell behind after just seven minutes when Villa captain John McGinn netted the only goal of the mid-season friendly.
Chelsea’s impressive teenager Omari Hutchinson shook the post midway through the first half
Omari Hutchinson was a livewire for the Blues throughout the contest, continually wreaking havoc down the right flank, and rocked the post shortly before halftime with a moving effort.
Meanwhile, Marcus Bettinelli will have impressed Potter on his luck making some important one-on-one saves against Leon Bailey and substitute Danny Ings midway through the second half.
While Potter used the mid-season friendly as an opportunity to experiment with a handful of unproven young players, Unai Emery opted for experience by selecting a nearly full roster in an effort to build momentum.
