
Chelsea
striker Armando Broja could be out for the rest of the season after
rupturing the ACL in his right knee.
The 21-year-old requires surgery and faces a lengthy period of
rehabilitation on the joint.
Broja, who has made 12 competitive appearances this season, sustained the
injury in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Aston Villa in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
After he was stretchered off, head coach Graham Potter said: "It doesn't
look positive at the moment, but it is too early to say.
It is another injury blow for Chelsea, who had a raft of players out before
the World Cup, and for Broja in his breakthrough season in the first team.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, N'Golo Kante
and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have all been stepping up their returns while at the
team's training camp in Dubai this month, although some are closer than
others to a return.
Chelsea's next seven games
December 27 - Premier League, Bournemouth (H), 5.30pm kick-off
January 1 - Premier League, Nottingham Forest (A), live on Sky Sports,
4.30pm kick-off
January 5 - Premier League, Manchester City (H), live on Sky Sports, 8pm
kick-off
January 8 - FA Cup third round, Manchester City (A), 4.30pm kick-off
January 12 - Premier League, Fulham (A), 8pm kick-off
January 15 - Premier League, Crystal Palace (H), 2pm kick-off
January 21 - Premier League, Liverpool (A), 12.30pm kick-off