Chelsea have been forced to rule out striker Armando Broja for the remainder of the 2022/23 season. The Albanian forward suffered a nasty knee injury during his side’s winter friendly game against Aston Villa and his campaign is now over as a result.
Chelsea Confirm Armando Broja Ruled Out for Rest of the Season
Bad news for Chelsea. Armando Broja will be out for the rest of the season as he needs surgery after ACL injury — been told he hopes to be ready for the start next season. 🚨🔵 #CFC
It’s ruptured cruciate ligament, as called by @NizaarKinsella.
Get well soon, @armandobroja9 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/cL2t9JWWR5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 13, 2022
Chelsea Post Statement On Broja’s Situation
Fans were left worried about the 21-year-old when he was spotted in visible pain after picking up a knee injury during the Blues’ 2-0 loss to Villa in the friendly. It appears that it ended up being season-ending for the young striker, and he won’t play for the London side for around seven months.
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Chelsea have posted an official statement on Broja’s situation. They wrote: “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.”
This is a major blow for Graham Potter, who now has a real lack of natural centre-forward options in his squad. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the only number nine in his squad right now, even though Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling can play up front if needed as well.
Broja’s Career At Chelsea So Far
Armando Broja joined the Chelsea youth academy at the age of eight back in 2009 and spent the majority of his youth career with the Blues as well. After spending the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons on loan at Vitesse and Southampton respectively, he was retained by the London club’s senior squad for this season.
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The 21-year-old is highly rated by those at Stamford Bridge and with the Albania national team too. The Albania team’s assistant coach Sergio Porrini described him as a ‘devastating striker’ earlier this year. Broja has made 18 appearances for Chelsea this season, but only started two of those games. Todd Boehly tied him to a huge seven-year contract recently, but the forward now faces a huge period on the sidelines as he’ll look to regain full fitness and get back to Potter’s side next season.
