Graham Potter was handed a huge blow in Chelsea's 1-0 mid-season friendly defeat to Aston Villa with Armando Broja picking up a worrying knee injury. The 20-year-old striker looks set to be out for some time after the Blues boss admitted his concern over his player's condition.
As it stands, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang is the west Londoners' only senior option ahead of the club's clash against Bournemouth on December 27. While Kai Havertz can be considered as a make-shift striker, the Germany international will be on of several players who will return to Cobham in need of some rest.
So, with all of that being said, football.london has taken a look at the latest injury news coming from the Chelsea squad.
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Armando Broja
Graham Potter has provided an update on Armando Broja after the Chelsea striker picked up a knock in a friendly against Aston Villa. The 20-year-old screamed in pain following a collision with Ezri Konsa and he was subsequently stretchered off the field of play.
The Albania international, who looked to be in great discomfort, was seen to be clutching his leg as he was tended to by medical staff. Broja has no history of knee injuries and, as the Blues prepare for the Premier League's return, the youngster's injury comes as a major blow.
In Broja's absence, Chelsea went on to lose 1-0 to Unai Emery's side in Abu Dhabi. The striker joins a growing list of injured players unavailable to Graham Potter, including N'Golo Kante, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell.
Speaking to the club's in-house media team after the defeat to Villa, the Blues boss admitted concern over Broja's 'awkward' knock. He said: "It was an unfortunate action, I think he got caught up with their player and the ground.
"It doesn’t look positive at the moment, but it is too early to say. Fingers crossed, but it is an awkward one."
Trevoh Chalobah
There's nothing to be worried about regarding Trevoh Chalobah's absence from the friendly, football.london understands. It's said that no risks were taken with the defender's fitness ahead of a congested fixture schedule upon the recommencement of the Premier League.
Reece James and Wesley Fofana
James suffered a knee injury in October's win at the San Siro against AC Milan. Unfortunately for the 22-year-old defender, he was ruled out of England's World Cup campaign as a result, but is getting ever closer to his return.
Fofana, meanwhile, also picked up an injury in the other group stage game with Milan. The Frenchman, who had faint hopes of a World Cup spot with his country, was ultimately ruled out for a lengthy period.
Graham Potter said earlier this week that James and Fofana were both progressing well but were not ready to return to action just yet. Potter told the club website: "Reece is not quite fully training but he's integrating into training along with Wesley. Wesley is a little bit further behind but not too far."
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell was another victim from the Milan game. The England international picked up a hamstring problem as his terrible luck with injuries continues.
"Ben has come back from his individual work in Dubai and he's now working closer with the guys but still not team training," Potter said in the week.
N'Golo Kante
Kante is set to be ruled out until the New Year. The 31-year-old midfielder picked up an injury in Chelsea's draw with Tottenham at the start of the season and has not played since.
Potter said the Frenchman was 'a little bit further away' than the aforementioned others but did reveal that he was progressing well.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa, who has become Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper in recent months, picked up an injury just before the World Cup break. Potter said in the week that the Spaniard is not quite yet with the team but recently 'stepped up' his rehab.
Marcus Bettinelli was handed a start for Chelsea in the friendly with Villa - Gabriel Slonina was also spotted travelling with the squad but he did not feature in any capacity. Edouard Mendy is not yet with the squad after his Senegal team were knocked out of the World Cup Round of 16 by England.
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