The Chelsea injury list continues to grow after forward Armando Broja looks to have picked up a knock while on international duty with Albania, reports Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard.
The 21-year-old came off injured in the 50th minute as Albania lost 3-1 to Italy in an international friendly and was later pictured on the substitutes bench with an ice pack strapped to his left ankle.
Armando Broja Faces Time on Side-lines as Chelsea Injury List Continues to Grow
Chelsea’s Ever Growing Injury List
Chelsea already have several key players currently out injured as the Premier League season pauses for the Qatar World Cup. Defenders Reece James and Wesley Fofana both picked up injuries last month in separate Champions League fixtures against AC Milan.
Fellow defender Ben Chilwell went off in Chelsea’s final Champions League fixture against Dinamo Zagreb. The left-back suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him out of England’s World Cup squad. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga also finds himself on the injury list at Stamford Bridge following a half-time substitution in Chelsea’s 4-1 away loss to Brighton & Hove Albion due to a foot injury.
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Midfielders Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N’Golo Kanté are two other names on the injury list for Graham Potter’s side. Loftus-Cheek was brought off in the opening minutes against Newcastle, while is expected to be out for the foreseeable following surgery on his hamstring.
If Broja has picked up an ankle injury, it will take Chelsea’s injury list for the first-team to six players.
Optimism for Broja and Graham Potter
Broja will now report back to Cobham and the West London club will then assess the severity of his injury before determining how long the striker will likely be out for. However, there is also optimism that Broja’s injury might not be as severe as first thought. That will be good news for manager Graham Potter, who will likely be hoping that the extended break will allow his injured players time to recover before the club are back in Premier League action on Tuesday, December 27.
The Chelsea manager has organised a warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi for players who were not called up for international duty. Potter will be looking to impart his tactical ideas to his new players and help steer the club back towards the top four. Chelsea currently find themselves 8th and with only one win in their last six Premier League games.
Broja will be part of the squad that travels to Abu Dhabi if his injury is not too severe. The striker has made 18 appearances for the Blues this season and scored his first goal for the club against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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