Chelsea forward Armando Broja has reportedly been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a serious knee injury.
On Sunday afternoon, Broja was featuring in a mid-season friendly against Aston Villa in the Middle East when he went down in agony during the first half.
The Albania international attempted to change direction when closing down down Ezri Konsa, only to fall to the ground clutching his right knee.
After the match, head coach Graham Potter acknowledged that he feared the worst over the issue with the academy graduate having to be stretchered off the pitch.
While Chelsea are yet to officially reveal the significance of the injury, Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard says that Broja has already discovered that he will miss the rest of 2022-23.
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The report says that Broja has sustained a torn ACL and will require an operation on the injury, which will result in his absence until next season.
Although Broja has never been regarded as a first-choice option under Thomas Tuchel or Potter this campaign, the 21-year-old has emerged as a valuable squad member.
Broja has made a total of three starts and 15 substitute appearances in all competitions, his one goal coming against Wolverhampton Wanderers on October 8.
Chelsea are now left with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kai Havertz as their main two options down the middle of the attack, neither pair particularly impressing in the final third this season.
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Aubameyang has netted just three times in all competitions, while Havertz has scored one more goal than the Gabon international from considerably more game time.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea will give serious thought to signing a new frontman during the January transfer window.
Reports have indicated that the West Londoners had originally been hoping to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Youssoufa Moukoko on a free transfer in the summer.
However, club officials may now try to push through a deal in January, giving Dortmund an opportunity to generate a fee for the youngster if he continues to opt against penning a new contract.
Darren Plant
